flydubai trims its B737 MAX order book by 65 units

flydubai (FZ, Dubai Int’l) says it has reached an agreement with Boeing (BOE, Chicago O’Hare) to reduce its outstanding B737 MAX order book by 65 units.

“The airline has adjusted its aircraft orders which had been placed in 2013 and 2017… [following] a review of fleet plans in line with the airline’s strategy of rebuilding the travel sector following the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing dynamics of the airline’s route structure,” the Emirati carrier said.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, flydubai currently operates thirteen B737-8s and three B737-9s, as well as thirty-six B737-800s. Prior to the announcement, it a further 235 B737-8s on firm order from Boeing which had ranked flydubai as the world’s second-largest airline customer for the B737 MAX behind Southwest Airlines and ahead of Lion Air.

Despite the overall reduction in the size of its order, flydubai does not intend to halt deliveries and said it would take a further eleven B737-8s by the end of 2021.