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Emirates and FlyDubai have formed what they call an “extensive partnership” that connects the divergent networks of the two Dubai-based carriers.
Both airlines are already wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (a state-owned holding company), though they have different management teams.
The partnership will go beyond codesharing to include coordinated scheduling as well as integrated network collaboration. The goal, they said, is to open new city-pair combinations.
The move is a logical one for the airlines, as it will allow for the marrying of Emirates’ long-haul and medium-haul networks with the short-haul network of FlyDubai. Emirates has an all-widebody fleet of 259 aircraft and currently flies passengers to 141 destinations. FlyDubai has an all-narrowbody fleet of 58 Boeing 737s and flies to 95 destinations.
When overlap is considered, the two carriers currently service 216 destinations. They expect the combined network to reach 240 destinations by 2022.
Emirates and FlyDubai said they are working together on commercial and network planning, frequent flyer program alignment and airport operations. Both carriers have their hub at Dubai’s airport.
The partnership comes as Emirates has seen operating margins and profits dwindle over the past two years due to a variety of factors, including the weak oil sector, the strong dollar, declining ticket prices in key markets and overcapacity on some of its routes.
Sоurсе: travelweekly.com