flydubai mulls new narrowbody order

flydubai plots 4Q23 order, warms up to A321(LR)

flydubai (FZ, Dubai International) is planning to place a new narrowbody aircraft order this year, most likely around the time of the Dubai Air Show in mid-November 2023, Chief Executive Ghaith Al Ghaith told aviation journalist Kurt Hofmann.

"It is high time to make a new order in the very near future... We really like the A320-200N extra range, this gives us a variety of flights which we are not able to go with our current aircraft. The ACV!A321NXL is not very attractive for us, but the A321-200NX(LR) gives us a beautiful band of expansion," Al Ghaith said.

The Emirati carrier, which launched as a low-cost carrier but over the last years turned into a full-service regional operator and feeder to sister airline Emirates, is an all-Boeing operator at this moment. The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that flydubai has a sizeable order book with the American manufacturer, comprising 138 firm orders - eighty-eight B737-8s and fifty B737-10s. The airline's existing fleet consists of thirty B737-800...

Bangladesh blocks UAE's bid for 5th freedom rights

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has declined to extend fifth freedom traffic rights to Emirati carriers, saying the ongoing construction of the third terminal at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport means increasing the amount of traffic into the airport isn't presently appropriate. However, the CAAB did say their position could change once the works are complete.

The rejection followed two days of bi-lateral talks in Dhaka this week between Bangladeshi and UAE officials. Also in attendance were representatives of Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia. The Arab airlines were reportedly keen to acquire additional landing rights at Dhaka, as well as fifth freedom rights, although there were no details disclosed about where those fifth freedom flights might be to.

"Proposals for increased flight operations will be reviewed subject to future capacity expansion of airports. However, implementation of the fifth freedom air rights will not be possible," said the CAAB in a statement.

According to ch-aviation capacities data, seven airlines fly between the UAE and Bangladesh, with UAE carriers dominating....

Brazilian government hopes to lure foreign LCCs

Parked aircraft take fire as fighting engulfs Khartoum

At least 25 people are dead while at least two large commercial aircraft sustained heavy damage after Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese armed forces (SAF) clashed in Khartoum on Saturday, April 15. During the fighting, two people were killed at Khartoum International Airport, while RPG fire and gunfire saw a Saudia (SV, Jeddah) A330-300 and SkyUp Airlines (PQ, Kyiv Boryspil) B737-800 go up in flames.

The fighting, which has spread outside Khartoum in recent days, is part of an ongoing civil war in Sudan and continuing hostilities between the paramilitary RSF and the SAF. The RSF are resisting a power sharing deal which will involve their integration into the SAF as part of a proposed transition to civilian rule. On Saturday morning, as hostilities broke out in Sudan's capital, on the ground reports say the RSF took control of Khartoum Airport as jeeps laden with RSF armed fighters swarmed onto the aprons.

Footage is circulating on social media showing black smoke billowing from both aircraft which were parked at remote...