flydubai in contact with Airbus and Boeing for potential new order for 'at least 100' aircraft

14 November, 2017

flydubai is in contact with Airbus and Boeing about a potential new order for "at least 100" and up to 175 passenger aircraft (Reuters/The National, 12-Nov-2017). flydubai CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith confirmed that with 737 MAX deliveries due to end in 2023, "we are definitely interested in a new order; we are working on a new order". "We have the pleasure of time because we really don't have to rush anything, but you will have something soon", he said. The carrier, which currently has an all Boeing fleet, is "generally always in talks" with Airbus and Boeing, with Mr Al-Ghaith adding that it is "in intense talks with them now". On the timing of the order, Mr Al Ghaith explained: "We change aircraft every eight years and we have an order book now of 100. That order book expires in 2023 so we are now in the market to ensure we do something for beyond that. But we are not in a rush". On the type of aircraft, he said the carrier is "looking for similar aircraft" to its current aircraft, "maybe even a little bigger".