Flydubai has cancelled the launch of routes planned for the second half of this year and reduced capacity on some others because of jet delivery delays at Boeing and supply chain problems, its chief executive has said.
The Dubai-based airline also temporarily suspended its flight schedule to Pisa in Italy from October to March 2025 to mitigate the impact on busy travel periods.
Flydubai cancelled its routes to Riga in Latvia, Tallinn in Estonia and Vilnius in Lithuania that were scheduled to start in October, despite a solid performance in the first six months of the year, chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith told The National on Monday.
Unfortunately, there will be no further route launches this year
Ghaith Al Ghaith,
chief executive, Flydubai
The all-Boeing fleet operator said in July that its growth plans have been "stunted" after it received an update from the US manufacturer that it would not receive any more planes this year, creating a capacity shortage during a period of strong demand.
The airline then had to examine the knock-on effect on its new routes and flight frequencies on existing destinations as a result, Mr Al Ghaith said at the time.
"Flydubai had another strong performance for the first half of 2024, and we have seen very strong demand for travel this summer as well. We are pleased to see a successful start of operations to our newest destination in Europe, with the launch of direct flights to Basel earlier this month. Unfortunately, there will be no further route launches this year," Mr Al Ghaith said on Monday.
"The airline had recently revised its flight schedule due to ongoing delays in aircraft delivery schedules and supply chain disruptions. To mitigate the impact during the busy travel periods, we have cancelled our upcoming route launches in the Baltic that were planned for October."
In December, Boeing told flydubai that it will deliver 12 planes in 2024. That included four that were delayed from 2023.
In March, the airline was informed it will receive only eight of the 12 planes.
In July, Boeing told flydubai that it will not receive any additional aircraft beyond the four already delivered this year.
"We are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of the schedule changes on our customers without having to resort back to wet leasing additional aircraft. This remains an option to explore for the future if we have to," Mr Al Ghaith said.
"In line with these developments, we are in touch with our customers and travel partners regarding their refund or rebooking options."
Flydubai advised customers whose flights have been affected to visit its website or call the flydubai contact centre, the flydubai travel store or their travel agent.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers’ travel schedules," Mr Al Ghaith said.
The flydubai chief joins a growing chorus of aviation leaders expressing frustrations about continuing aircraft delays. This comes as Boeing struggles with a safety and quality crisis, which was caused by a panel falling off a 737 Max jet in mid-air in January. Its rival Airbus is also struggling to reach production output goals.
Etihad Airways' chief executive Antonoaldo Neves this month said that when he meets Boeing's new chief executive Kelly Ortberg “sooner or later”, he will have one main request for the new leader of the company.
“When I meet him and I ask him one thing, it's going to be: 'please deliver my planes on time'”, Mr Neves said in an interview this month.
Mr Ortberg has pledged to “restore trust” in the embattled US aerospace company when he officially took charge on August 8.
Delays in delivering planes have hobbled global airlines' efforts to fully capitalise on the post-pandemic surge in air travel demand.
In July, Boeing's chief of commercial jets Stephanie Pope said the company had disappointed its customers but it was making transformational and systemic changes based on feedback from its employees, airlines and regulators.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18
Romarinho, Brazil
Lassana Diarra, France
Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan
Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
The years Ramadan fell in May
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on animal trafficking
More coverage from the Future Forum
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
more from Janine di Giovanni
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on Quran memorisation:
The five pillars of Islam
AL%20BOOM
%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
The five pillars of Islam
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Wallabies
Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
More coverage from the Future Forum
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
