flydubai Keen To Invest In An Efficient Indian Airline

Dubai-based carrier flydubai, which commenced its operations in June 2009, said it would be open to investing in an ‘efficient Indian airline’.

In a move to consolidate and expand its position, flydubai has recently added 10 new weekly frequencies in India.

The airline added four new flights to Delhi and three weekly flights each to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram this month. It currently connects six airports including smaller towns like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Lucknow.

Currently, the low-cost carrier does not have the mandate to expand inorganically. But if a good opportunity is offered to the company, it can go back to seek approval of its shareholder.

“We do not have any mandate to go outside right now. But we have dialogue with Indian airlines all the time. If we find a good opportunity, we will consider it. We will then go and seek approval from the shareholders,” said flydubai chief executive officer Ghaith Al Ghaith.

A large number of global airlines have shown interest in the Indian carriers after the government allowed foreign airlines to pick up to 49% stake in Indian carriers in September 2012.

flydubai currently uses 3,000 seats per week to India out of the 5,000 allotment.

The airline has grown operations to have a fleet of 37 aircraft over the last five years.
(Image: flydubai official website)