Flydubai Partners with Smartwings for Wet Lease of Next-Gen Boeing 737-800 Aircraft
Dubai’s prominent carrier, Flydubai, has officially announced a strategic collaboration with Czech Republic-based airline, Smartwings. The partnership, unveiled on August 7, 2023, entails the wet lease of four cutting-edge Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft from Smartwings. Commencing between October 17, 2023, and April 16, 2024, these Smartwings planes are set to bolster Flydubai’s operational capabilities.
This pivotal Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) agreement aligns with Flydubai’s existing fleet of 79 Boeing 737 aircraft. The incorporation of these four leased aircraft will substantially enhance Flydubai’s capacity, particularly during the bustling travel periods of autumn and winter in Dubai.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, the esteemed CEO of Flydubai, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We take great pleasure in confirming this novel wet lease collaboration with Smartwings, marking our third such agreement with them since 2019. With its proven IOSA certification and vast ACMI experience, Smartwings is an ideal partner. The lease of these extra aircraft empowers us to maintain optimal operational efficiency, amplify our network’s capacity, and mitigate any potential travel disruptions during one of the busiest seasons.”
Flydubai is currently distinguished by its fleet, solely consisting of Boeing 737 aircraft. This includes a mix of 30 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, 46 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and three Boeing 737 MAX 9s.
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Smartwings, Jiri Juran, articulated his excitement, remarking, “We are thrilled to formalize our third ACMI wet lease accord with Flydubai. This collaboration, which we deeply cherish, will optimize our aircraft utilization and grant our skilled staff expanded prospects throughout the winter period.”
These newly integrated Economy Class aircraft are slated to operate on designated routes within the Flydubai network. These include pivotal destinations such as Chattogram, Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi, and Muscat. The partnership stands as a testament to the shared commitment of both carriers to providing enhanced travel experiences for their passengers.