More than 11,500 applications received and processed

Riyadh, 18th March, 2009 - flydubai, Dubai's first low cost airline, has now completed the selection process of its pilots and crew in preparation for the airline's launch.

Over the past few months, the airline has been inundated with over 11,500 applications from flight and cabin crew keen to join flydubai before it starts flights mid-2009. Over 8,000 candidates for pilots alone were screened, of which 61 Captains and 18 First Officers, representing more than 12 nationalities have been selected.

A highly skilled and experienced team of pilots and cabin crew is now undergoing training and preparation in readiness to offer the highest safety standards, combined with flydubai's own unique style of exceptional customer service.

Kenneth Gile, flydubai's Chief Operating Officer added: "We are extremely pleased with the talent of the pilots we have on board. On average, they each have more than 4,000 hours serving as Captain in similar aircraft and a total experience of more than 8,000 flying hours - this is impressive by any standard. Candidate screening and selection is now complete and we thank Emirates for their valuable support, expertise and experience throughout this process."

flydubai pilots include Senior Managers, Chief Pilots, Chief Technical Pilots, Director of Flight Operations and several certified Type Rating Examiners (TRE) which represents the highest accomplishment a pilot can obtain.

So far, 80 cabin crew have been employed from the 3,500 applications received.  The first group of 21 cabin crew and 24 Captains are currently

undergoing training in preparation for flydubai's launch in a few months' time. 

flydubai will operate a fleet of brand new Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, each with 189 economy class seats.  Full details of the product, how to buy and 'flydubai' together with information about the initial routes, will be announced shortly. 

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said: "We have had a huge response from applicants who are keen to come and join us, which shows the excitement amongst flight crew at the prospect of joining a new and exciting airline and also demonstrates that Dubai is still seen as an attractive place to live and work. flydubai aims to provide the best possible service and value to our customers and of course with the utmost of safety and professionalism, so we are especially pleased to have such experienced pilots on our team."

flydubai aims to bring a fresh approach to the region's growing budget travel market and serve the large expatriate population by providing the opportunity to fly more often. "We will offer a service that it a little less complex, a little less stressful and certainly a little less expensive. We are looking forward to our launch, to welcoming passengers aboard and to bringing people together more often." Mr. Ghaith continued.

Routes will include destinations within 4.5 hours flying time of Dubai. flydubai will operate from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 located on the north side of Dubai International Airport.

-Ends-

About flydubai:
Established in March 2008 with a start-up capital of AED250 million, flydubai is Dubai's first low cost airline. Owned by the government of Dubai, the airline will support the city's commercial and tourism sectors by serving all travellers, providing them with affordable air links to a range of destinations. Based on a low cost business model, flydubai will offer a value-for-money product at an extremely competitive price. Its website www.flydubai.com will be an important interface for customers, together with a call centre and travel partners. 

For further information, please contact Wael Abdel Samad at the flydubai Press Office at Polaris PR. Telephone: 0504440079 E-mail: w.asamad@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2009