Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Dubai-based airline flydubai has announced strong financial results for the year ending 31 December 2025, reporting a pre-tax profit of AED 2.2 billion (USD 591 million).
The airline’s total revenue reached AED 13.6 billion (USD 3.7 billion), marking a 6% increase compared to AED 12.8 billion in 2024. Profit after tax stood at AED 1.9 billion (USD 531 million), reflecting the carrier’s steady expansion strategy and growing passenger demand.
Strong Financial and Operational Performance
flydubai recorded EBITDA of AED 4.0 billion (USD 1.1 billion) in 2025. Fuel costs accounted for 25% of total operating expenses. The airline closed the year with AED 5.6 billion (USD 1.5 billion) in cash and bank balances, including pre-delivery payments.
On-time departure performance improved by 6% compared to 2024, highlighting better operational efficiency.
The airline carried a record 15.7 million passengers in 2025. Business Class demand grew by 19% year-on-year, while passenger traffic increased across key regions — the Middle East (17%), Africa (12%) and Europe (12%).
During the year, flydubai operated 126,604 flights and recorded more than 400 departures in a single day during peak travel periods in December 2025.
Network Expansion
flydubai expanded its network to 140 destinations in 58 countries after launching nine new routes. New destinations included Al Alamein (Egypt), Antalya (Türkiye), Bushehr and Qeshm (Iran), Iași (Romania), Nairobi (Kenya), Peshawar (Pakistan), Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania).
The airline also resumed operations to Chișinău (Moldova), Damascus (Syria) and Tabriz (Iran).
Overall network capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM), increased by 6%, while Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM) rose by 6%. Passenger yield improved by 3% compared to 2024.
Fleet Growth and Aircraft Orders
In 2025, flydubai received 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, increasing its total fleet to 97 aircraft with an average age of 5.5 years. The airline retired three Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The carrier also completed a retrofit programme for eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft, bringing the total number of upgraded aircraft to 25.
At the Dubai Airshow, flydubai announced major aircraft orders, including 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, strengthening its long-term fleet strategy.
Sustainability and Innovation
The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft continue to support fuel efficiency, offering 14% better fuel performance than previous models.
In 2025, flydubai launched a solar power project at its campus, expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,211 tonnes annually.
The airline also signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration, joining United for Wildlife’s Transport Taskforce to help fight illegal wildlife trafficking.
Improved Customer Experience
In November 2025, flydubai upgraded its Economy Class offering by introducing meals and inflight entertainment across all Economy fares.
The airline also signed an agreement to introduce complimentary high-speed Starlink inflight connectivity across its fleet starting from 2026.
Partnerships and Workforce Growth
The partnership between Emirates and flydubai enabled more than 2.5 million passengers to connect across a joint network of 243 destinations in 103 countries via Dubai in 2025.
flydubai signed 11 new interline agreements during the year, expanding its interline partners to 42. It also maintains codeshare agreements with Air Canada, Emirates and United Airlines.
The airline increased its workforce by 11% in 2025, bringing total employees to 6,763. It also launched an Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme and an Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Apprenticeship to support future growth.
Awards and Recognition
flydubai won the “Trailblazer Award for Outstanding New Service Launch” and was named “Airline of the Year” at the Aviation Achievement Awards 2025. It also received the Four-Star Major Airline rating by APEX and was recognised as the “Airline with the Best Connectivity in the Middle East” at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2025.
Looking ahead, flydubai expects to receive 12 new aircraft in 2026, including seven Boeing 737 MAX 9 and five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The airline plans to increase route frequencies and launch new destinations, including Bangkok later in 2026. It will also continue investing in AI-driven technologies, digitalisation and workforce development.
With strong demand for leisure and business travel, flydubai remains confident about maintaining sustainable growth in 2026.
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