Flydubai, the Dubai-based low cost airline, has recorded a 200 per cent increase in passengers in its first two years of service, said its chairman.

While there has been a 100 per cent increase in aircraft, routes increased 150 per cent and the airline recorded 78 per cent increase in the number of flights, making it the second largest carrier operating out of Dubai International Airport, added Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

“After just two years in operation flydubai is now a household name in the region. flydubai has consistently delivered a quality, affordable service during its two years of operation and millions of passengers have benefitted from the airline’s commitment to making travel more accessible and more affordable.”

“It is this consistent, quality service that has made flydubai a well-loved brand. With a network spanning the GCC, Mena, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe, flydubai is stimulating demand for travel and finding new markets with an appetite for developing business and tourism links with the UAE. This brings benefits to all sectors of the economy and I look forward to flydubai continuing with its good work for many years to come,” he added.

The airline began operations on June 1, 2009, with a full flight of 189 passengers bound for Beirut and a commitment to make travel easier, more accessible and more affordable.

“Two years ago this month our first flight took off. It was a wonderful, exciting time but I could never have imagined that two years on we would be in the strong position that we are today,” Al Ghaith said.

“Our strategy was to expand as quickly as possible, adding aircraft and destinations at a rapid pace to ensure we reached a critical mass in the shortest possible time. Today we have 16 aircraft and 36 operational destinations – making us the fastest growing start up airline ever.”

“One of the biggest challenges for a new company is dealing with rapid expansion while ensuring the systems, procedures and staff are in place to maintain consistent levels of service,” added Al Ghaith.

“We’ve done all of this successfully while at the same time maintaining an On Time Performance record that is one of the best in the industry at 85 per cent. And perhaps most importantly of all our passengers still receive a friendly welcome when they come on board flydubai.

“Our rapid growth could only have been accomplished with the support of the GCAA, DCA and Dubai Airports who have worked closely with us to provide the facilities and operating slots we need for our expansion. This growth puts pressure on resources and facilities to grow as quickly as we do and I thank them for their support and patience.”

Two years into operations, the airline has delivered on its commitments and despite rapid increases in fleet, network and passengers, flydubai has managed to keep the quality of its service high, he added.

From June 2010 to May 2011, flydubai recorded increases of 161 per cent for ASKMs (Available Seats per Kilometre) and 181 per cent for RPKMs (Revenue Per Kilometre) over the previous 12 months, the airline’s statement said.

While more than 80,000 people have applied to join the airline, employee numbers are now just crossing the 1,000 mark, indicating that the number shows the airline is attracting around 80 applications for every position, the statement added.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “In just two years flydubai has become a potent force in the region’s aviation industry. Now the second largest carrier operating out of Dubai International, flydubai has played a significant role in the continued success and growth of passenger traffic at the airport.”

“By opening up new and previously untapped markets, flydubai is helping to bring in significant volumes of traffic from around the region to Dubai and beyond. I am confident that flydubai will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Al Ghaith said: “I am proud to be able to announce such incredible achievements today. The flydubai team has worked extremely hard to ensure flydubai reached this point, and this success is the reward for that hard work.

“Clearly our strategy is paying off. We knew there was a place for us in the market and we have worked hard and ensured that we have made that place our own. We’ve taken the business head on, surmounted all the obstacles and made it work.”

“Two years into our operations and we are right on track. I am confident that our strategy is the right one. flydubai is well placed to continue to forge ahead into new markets with new innovations in the future. I am confident 2011 will be another good year for flydubai,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service