Flydubai is to install Starlink on its aircraft to offer free and fast Wi-Fi, with the Dubai airline joining Emirates in providing the service to boost inflight connectivity.
Starlink is set to be added to the low-cost airline’s fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, with installation for 100 planes to be carried out in 2026, flydubai said in a statement at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday. It expects to bring the service to the majority of its fleet next year.
The service will deliver "high-speed, low-latency broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls", the airline added.
The agreement is part of "our ongoing efforts to elevate the travel experience, providing fast, reliable internet access across our growing network", said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive of flydubai. "Reliable connectivity has become essential and our partnership with Starlink allows us to meet the evolving expectations of today’s travellers."
This week, Emirates also announced a partnership with Starlink, with the airline expecting to complete the full programme by mid-2027 on all of its 232 Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft.
While the UAE has not yet announced regulatory approval or agreements for satellite operators such as Starlink to begin operations in the country, the service will start on aircraft shortly after take-off.
“Fast, free internet isn’t just a game-changer for our customers, it also gives our crew the real-time data and information they need," said Daniel Kerrison, senior vice president of inflight operations at flydubai.
Flydubai has been investing in premium products and services to expand beyond the low-cost business model it established when it began operations in June 2009.
Last month, the airline said that, from November, it will include meals and in-flight entertainment for passengers in economy class. The Dubai-based carrier said the change marked a major step in its ongoing investment in customer service and product development.
In the past few years, flydubai has also introduced a dedicated business class check-in area and opened a business class lounge at Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Background: Chemical Weapons
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SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine 2.4L four-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
