Low-cost airline flydubai announced an order worth $24 billion for 150 Airbus A321neo jets on Tuesday, more than doubling its fleet as it pursues an aggressive expansion plan.
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on the planes, which are to be delivered from 2031, according to a flydubai statement.
The Emirati company’s first Airbus order is an “exciting step in expanding and diversifying our fleet”, chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum told a press conference at the Dubai Airshow.
The state-owned, Dubai-based carrier currently has a fleet of 95 Boeing 737 planes.
“The agreement is for 150 firm A321neo aircraft with 100 options, underscoring the carrier’s confidence in Dubai’s growth plans,” the statement said.
Also at the Dubai Airshow, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad announced an order for 16 Airbus aircraft: six A330-900, seven A350-1000 and three A350F.
Flydubai also signed an agreement with SpaceX on Tuesday to introduce Starlink across its fleet, a day after Emirates said it would start rolling out Elon Musk’s satellite-powered network.
On Monday, Emirates, regarded as flydubai’s sister airline, ordered 65 Boeing jets in a $38 billion deal at the biennial airshow, the biggest in the Middle East.
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© Agence France-Presse
