Middle Eastern carrier Flydubai is set to take delivery of seven more Boeing 737s in the second half of this year, including its first Max 9s.

The carrier will take three 737 Max 9s and four 737 Max 8s, while four 737-800s will be returned to lessors.

Senior vice-president of finance Arbind Kumar stresses that the airline needs to “maintain a tight grip” on capacity deployment, in the face of rising fuel prices, as part of its efforts to keep costs under control.

The airline has turned in heavy losses over the first half.

Kumar says the carrier has achieved “good” revenue growth during the period, and that it remains focused on the priorities of improving cost performance, optimising the network, and broadening distribution.

Flydubai’s fleet over the half-year stood at 61 aircraft, comprising 55 737-800s and six 737 Max 8s.

Source: Cirium Dashboard