flydubai (FZ, Dubai Int'l) has announced it will resume scheduled B737 MAX operations on April 8, 2021. Initially, the Emirati carrier will operate four B737-8s and a single B737-9. The remainder of its already delivered MAX aircraft (seven -8s and two -9s) will return to service "over the coming months" as their recertification progresses.

Based on Flightradar24 ADS-B records of test flights, flydubai will initially reactivate -8s A6-FMG (msn 60976), A6-FMH (msn 60979), A6-FMI (msn 60984), and A6-FMJ (msn 60980), and the -9 A6-FNB (msn 60978). The remaining MAX 8s and 9 are in storage mostly at Dubai Int'l. Two aircraft are stored at Dubai World Central and one at Greensboro, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows.

"We are pleased to see the MAX aircraft rejoin our fleet. While the aircraft’s first flight will be from Dubai Int'l to Sialkot, they will operate to a number of flydubai’s destinations over the coming weeks," Chief Commercial Officer Hamad Obaidalla said.

On top of the fourteen B737 MAX already delivered before the type's grounding in March 2019, flydubai has a further 237 B737-8s on firm order from Boeing.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates issued a safety decision permitting the B737 MAX to return to service, subject to mandatory changes, on February 17, 2021. The airline said it would notify passengers in advance if they are due to fly on the B737 MAX.