In its fifth year of operation, flydubai today announced its annual results for 2014 and reported a net profit of AED 250 million (USD 68 million) an increase of 12.3 percent compared to 2013 with total revenue of AED 4.4 billion (USD 1.2 billion) for the 12-month period, ending 31 December.
Last year, saw flydubai, in support of the economic development of the UAE, remain focused on its long-term strategy to open up new routes by expanding opportunities for travel, maintaining efficient operations across its network and continuing to deliver a better customer experience.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said: "the UAE has firmly established itself as a centre of gravity for aviation. We have long recognised the importance of aviation to our economic growth. flydubai continues to make a key contribution to our economy in particular as a result of its strategy to open up previously underserved routes."
He further stated,"Recording its profitability for the third consecutive full year, the 2014 Results show that the recent order for more aircraft as well as investments in the offering on the ground and in the air have been the right strategy for the airline. flydubai's role in the aviation sector is now being recognised beyond the region."
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said, "2014 saw flydubai open up a record number of new routes in what was a demanding year. To have achieved what we have achieved is significant.The continued investment in our people and operations has strengthened our business and ensures that we are well positioned for sustained growth in the future. It is good to see that more passengers than ever before are travelling with us."
Flydubai carried 7.25 million passengers in 2014 and has carried 24.3 million since it launched its operations.
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It saw an increase in passenger numbers between 2013 and 2014 in Africa (14 percent), Central Asia (57 percent), Europe (11 percent) and the subcontinent (11 percent).
In 2014, the airline added 23 new routes, creating a network of 86 destinations. Flydubai also increased frequency on many of its existing routes. Weekly flight frequencies to Beirut increased from 14 to 21, to Kuwait from 53 to 77, to Muscat from 28 to 41, to Salalah from 3 to 5 and Tbilisiwhich went to a daily service. The airline now operates 1,400 flights per week.
Its network across its geographic focus grew by the number of routes in Africa (100 percent), in Central Asia (66 percent), Europe including Russia (40 percent), the GCC (7percent), Middle East (30 percent) and in the Subcontinent (38 percent).
With the launch of four new points in India, flydubai saw a 70 percent growth in passenger numbers and there remains much opportunity.