Article from BTNews 24 JULY 2017
Dubai power merger
A potential powerful new force in Middle East aviation emerged last week after Emirates and flydubai announced an “extensive partnership” that officials said would see the two airlines join forces to offer customers new travel options.
Officials explained both Dubai-owned carriers will continue to be managed independently, but will leverage each other’s network to scale up their operations and accelerate growth.
A statement said the partnership “goes beyond code-sharing” to include integrated network collaboration with coordinated scheduling, giving flydubai passengers seamless connectivity to Emirates’ worldwide destinations while opening flydubai’s regional network to Emirates’ customers.
The two airlines will also further develop their hub at Dubai International Airport, currently the world’s busiest for international passengers, by aligning their systems and operations.
Emirates Group chief executive and flydubai chairman Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “This is an exciting and significant development for Emirates, flydubai and Dubai aviation.
“Both airlines have grown independently and successfully over the years, and this new partnership will unlock the immense value the complementary models of both companies can bring.”
By 2022, the combined network of Emirates and flydubai is expected to reach 240 destinations, served by a combined fleet of 380 aircraft.
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