Low cost airline buys Boeing's

[14th July 2008]

New low cost airline FlyDubai has placed an order for 50 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s at the Farnborough Air Show.

FlyDubai was formed in March by the Dubai government to provide low cost flights in the Dubai and Gulf States region. The airline operates separately from Emirates Airline and Group.

"The Boeing Next-Generation 737 is ideally suited to our mission to bring some two billion regional inhabitants affordable, efficient and flexible travel options to and from Dubai," says FlyDubai chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

"FlyDubai will be the first step for a new set of passengers seeking out high-demand tourist destinations in the Gulf States and surrounding countries, while bringing connectivity to all parts of the globe," he adds.

The order is valued at $3.74 billion at current list prices and also gives FlyDubai the rights to convert the 737-800 orders to extended range 737-900ERs in the future.

Speaking at a press conference at the Farnborough Air Show, Boeing chairman, president and CEO, Jim McNerney said: "Today's order is the result of a thorough analysis of the contributions the Next-Generation 737 can make to FlyDubai's innovative business model. We foresee the unmatched efficiency and operability of this incredible airplane bringing the same success to our partners in Dubai as it does to so many of the world's most successful low-cost carriers."

Total orders for Next-Generation 737s now number more than 4,800, with 116 customers. Boeing currently has more than 2,200 unfilled orders for the plane valued at more than $160 billion at current list prices.

Written by: Nick Purdom