flydubai Boosts Fleet with Additional Wet-Lease Agreement Amid Boeing MAX Delivery Delays
flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has strategically expanded its operational capacity by entering into a renewed wet-lease agreement with Smartwings (Czechia) for six Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This collaboration, marking the third agreement between the two carriers, comes as a proactive measure to counterbalance the delayed delivery schedule of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which has impacted flydubai’s expansion plans.
Despite having an order of 130 Boeing 737-8s, flydubai experienced a shortfall in deliveries in 2023, receiving only 13 of the expected jets, a decrease from the 17 delivered in 2022. To date, in 2024, the airline has welcomed just one Boeing 737-8 and anticipates the arrival of an additional eleven by year-end. The ongoing delivery challenges have prompted flydubai to seek alternative solutions to maintain its growth trajectory and service commitments.
The enhanced wet-lease agreement, initially covering four aircraft and later expanded to include two more, extends until April 16, 2024. This arrangement enables flydubai to leverage Smartwings’ Boeing 737-800s, integrating them into its fleet of 85 Boeing 737 aircraft. This strategic move ensures flydubai can continue offering increased capacity to its passengers, mitigating the impact of delivery delays.
Currently, flydubai benefits from the service of three Smartwings aircraft that have been operational since the latter part of the previous year. Smartwings, on its part, is actively engaged in wet-leasing eleven of its 33 aircraft to various airlines, demonstrating the flexibility and cooperative spirit within the aviation industry to address capacity challenges.
flydubai’s fleet, predominantly composed of Boeing aircraft, includes fifty-three B737-8s, twenty-nine B737-800s, and three B737-9s. Looking ahead, the airline has also diversified its fleet with an order for thirty B787-9s, with deliveries expected to commence in 2026. This forward-looking approach illustrates flydubai’s commitment to enhancing its operational capacity and service offerings, despite facing challenges with aircraft deliveries.
As flydubai navigates through the complexities of fleet expansion in a dynamic aviation landscape, its partnership with Smartwings plays a crucial role in ensuring operational resilience and continuity. This collaborative effort not only addresses immediate capacity needs but also underscores the airline’s adaptability and strategic planning prowess in maintaining service excellence and meeting passenger demand.