{
  "id": 7807290,
  "title": "UAE travel demand will “return with a vengeance,” says flydubai CEO as airline plans new growth phase",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/uae-travel-demand-will-return-with-a-vengeance-says-flydubai-ceo-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T13:35:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/uae-travel-demand-will-return-with-a-vengeance-says-flydubai-ceo-as-airline-plans-new-growth-phase-1.500676956"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai-based airline flydubai is optimistic that travel demand to the region will rebound strongly as the impact of the US-Iran conflict subsides, according to the company's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Al Ghaith said the airline expects to surpass its pre-conflict operating levels by the end of 2026, provided international travel advisories are lifted and fuel costs remain manageable.\n\nCurrently operating at approximately 85% of its pre-disruption capacity with services to about 130 destinations, flydubai is on track to deliver a major fleet expansion, with 300 aircraft on order and 11 new planes expected to arrive by the end of 2026. The airline is also expanding into cargo operations and enhancing its premium business-class offerings, positioning itself beyond a \"budget\" carrier.\n\nWhile some markets, such as Eastern Europe, are already nearing pre-disruption levels of bookings, the airline acknowledges that the recovery pace will depend on the removal of travel advisories and fuel costs. Al Ghaith emphasized that lifting advisories would significantly accelerate the recovery, as they currently hinder business operations.\n\nThe airline's long-term strategy is to transition beyond passenger traffic, exploring new avenues through its expanding cargo network, which currently includes three wet lease Boeing 737-800 freighters. Al Ghaith stressed that the company remains committed to profitability, with the goal of making money as a core value.",
  "summary": "Dubai: flydubai is confident that travel demand to the region will return “with a vengeance” as the impact of the US-Iran conflict fades, with the Dubai carrier preparing for its next phase of growth through a bigger fleet , expanded cargo operations, a stronger premium offering and greater technology investment. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances The airline’s chief…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}