Flydubai aircraft. Photo: Flydubai The air battles in Dubai continue. After making a grand announcement about the choice of GE engines to power its future 787s at the Dubai Airshow yesterday, Flydubai is using the second day of the coveted event to present a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to purchase 150 A321neo aircraft from European Airbus. Delivery is expected to begin in the next decade.
With the signing of the MoU, Flydubai officially becomes a new Airbus customer. The signing took place on the second day of the Dubai Airshow, in the presence of the company's chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Airbus CEO Christian Scherer, and Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith.
The agreement significantly strengthens the airline’s growth strategy and Dubai’s extensive development plans. The A321neo aircraft, which come from the A320neo family, offer improved flight range, high fuel efficiency and advanced systems that reduce emissions and enhance the passenger experience.
According to the company's announcement, the integration of the model into the fleet is expected to support Flydubai's expansion plan for its international route network, enabling the opening of additional routes while meeting the growing demand in existing markets.
The announcement did not say whether, according to the work plan for the coming years, the aircraft are actually supposed to replace the company's 737-MAX fleet, but it is possible that this is the intention.
As a reminder, Flydubai is also scheduled to receive 30 wide-body Boeing Dreamliner (787-9) aircraft in the coming years.
Flydubai also announced the introduction of Starlink internet on its aircraft, starting next year. The announcement, which also came on the second day of the airshow in Dubai, follows a similar statement from Emirates.