UAE Carrier Scales Aircraft Deliveries, Cadet Program and Full-Flight Simulator Capacity in 2025

United Arab Emirates – flydubai, the Dubai-based narrowbody carrier operating a fleet of 97 Boeing 737 aircraft, reported strong 2025 financial and operational performance while accelerating fleet expansion and significantly scaling its in-house pilot training and maintenance infrastructure.

• Reported profit before tax of AED 2.2 billion (USD 591 million) for the financial year ending 31 December 2025.

• Full-year revenue increased 6% to AED 13.6 billion (USD 3.7 billion).

Fleet and Aircraft Strategy

• Took delivery of 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in 2025, expanding total fleet size to 97 aircraft with an average age of 5.5 years.

• Retired three Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft and completed retrofits on eight additional NG aircraft, bringing the total retrofitted fleet to 25 aircraft.

• Announced major Dubai Airshow orders for 150 Airbus A321neo and 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, diversifying its narrowbody fleet strategy.

• Expects delivery of 12 aircraft in 2026:

  • Seven Boeing 737 MAX 9.

  • Five Boeing 737 MAX 8.

• The Boeing 737 MAX continues to deliver approximately 14% greater fuel efficiency compared to predecessor models.

Training and Workforce Development

• Workforce increased 11% to 6,763 employees, reflecting continued recruitment across operational functions.

• Launched an Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme and an Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Apprenticeship as part of its long-term internal talent pipeline strategy.

• Expanded its Flight Training Centre, now equipped with four full-flight simulators, increasing internal scheduling flexibility and creating potential third-party training capacity.

Statements

• “We are also significantly expanding our training portfolio, including our Cadet Programmes for pilots, engineers and dispatchers, to build a strong pipeline of talent that will support our long-term growth.” – Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai

• “Our Flight Training centre, now equipped with four full-flight simulators, [gives] us greater control and flexibility over training schedules for our pilots, and potentially other airlines in the future.” – Ghaith Al Ghaith

Source: flydubai Photo Credit: flydubai