Five-year integrated component support agreement will enhance the airline's on time performance

Dubai, UAE - 15 November, 2011: flydubai, Dubai's pioneering low cost airline, has signed two new fleet Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) contracts with Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), part of the Mubadala Aerospace MRO network, with a combined value of $54 million.

The primary agreement, for ICS (Integrated Component Support), covers the Repair Management and Forward Component Exchange and will see ADAT provide Total Material Support to flydubai's entire fleet. With a growing fleet, the contract allows flydubai to budget its maintenance spend in advance, while also having spare parts readily available. By outsourcing the maintenance and components support and management to ADAT, flydubai will benefit from reduced maintenance costs and increased capital liquidity, as a result of having to hold less spare parts. This will create a saving of $35 million for the airline over the next five years. flydubai currently has 20 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft with another 30 due to be delivered by the end of 2016.

flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said "At flydubai, we aim to make travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive. Signing this contract with ADAT has helped to minimise any maintenance-related delays, enhancing our on time performance. This reduces impact on our flying schedule, enabling passengers to reach their destination on time and in well maintained and safe aircraft, while maintaining our on time performance record, which is one of the best in the industry."

This contract follows the excellent performance shown on a $25 million ten-year contract, signed last year, for ADAT, the Middle East's largest independent MRO services provider, to perform maintenance on flydubai's wheels, brakes, oxygen bottles and batteries.

Commenting on the partnership, which is supported by Sanad Aero Solutions (Sanad), Mubadala Aerospace's component and engine financing solutions company, Group CEO of the Mubadala Aerospace MRO network, James Stewart said: "We are greatly looking forward to working closely with flydubai over the next five years and are delighted that ADAT's dedication to its customers and investments in state-of-the-art facilities continue to make us the region's MRO of choice, offering market leading maintenance solutions which help reduce the airlines' costs and support increased liquidity."

Meanwhile, in a related move, ADAT has secured a new contract to complete 18 C checks on flydubai aircraft throughout 2012. The $1.3 million deal, for a combination of C1 (carried out after 6,000 flying hours) and C2 checks (completed after 12,000 flying hours), follows an existing deal signed earlier this year for 10 C checks, and those completed were done  to the airline's satisfaction.

Mick Hills, flydubai's Divisional Head - Engineering & Maintenance, said: "We have been very pleased with the quality of ADAT's work to date and their excellent turnaround time performance has been of great benefit. With such high fleet utilisation it is essential that we have a maintenance partner who understands the need for very short maintenance inputs. When combined with the competitive rates for next year, we are confident this contract will again prove beneficial to both parties."

flydubai has a simple model where customers only pay for services they want to receive. Fares are inclusive of all taxes plus one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Checked baggage starts at AED50 for 20kgs. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100.

flydubai operates from the modernised Terminal 2 building on the north side of Dubai International Airport.

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About flydubai

Established in March 2008, flydubai is Dubai's first low-cost airline and the fastest growing start-up airline in the world. Since commencing operations in June 2009, the airline has established an operational route network of 46 destinations across GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe and has built up a fleet of 20 aircraft. Owned by the government of Dubai, the low-cost carrier supports the city's commercial and tourism sectors by serving all travellers and providing them with affordable air links to a range of destinations. The airline is dedicated to quality service and comfortable travel, lowering costs by optimising operational efficiencies and offering the passenger more choice. 

For more information about flydubai services, please visit www.flydubai.com or contact the call centre (+9714 301 0800) or travel partners.

For further information, please contact:

Heather Astbury, PR Manager for flydubai at Mobile: (+971) 50 950 8420; Email: heather.astbury@flydubai.com 

Meabh O'Reilly, DABO & CO at Mobile: (+971)50 915 5735; Email: meabh.o@daboandco.com

About the Mubadala Aerospace MRO network

A solid MRO network is one of the main facets of the aerospace industry that Mubadala Aerospace aims to build. In line with its greater vision to contribute to the aerospace sector for Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Aerospace is creating a network of companies which include a full spectrum of aerospace products and services.

A significant part of Mubadala Aerospace's growing MRO network, ADAT has recently engaged in many business ventures driving growth for itself, Mubadala Aerospace, and the aerospace industry for Abu Dhabi. ADAT is recognized as the Middle East's largest independent aviation technical solutions provider and has a comprehensive set of airframe, engine and component MRO capabilities.

SR Technics brings 80 years of experience to Mubadala Aerospace. As an integral part of the global MRO network, which is being developed by Mubadala Aerospace, SR Technics is a full-service provider of MRO for aircraft, component, and engine services. This is coupled with extensive engineering know-how, broad technical training offerings, and VIP completion services. The Zurich-based company is one of the largest independent providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Its main maintenance facilities in Zurich and Malta are further supported through a large European network of line stations as well as logistics centers at London Heathrow and Zurich. 

About Mubadala Aerospace

Mubadala Aerospace, a business unit of Mubadala Development Company, is a global network of aerospace businesses that demonstrates world-class performance, and delivers value-added services and products to its customers with the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. Mubadala Aerospace intelligently invests in a network of international businesses developing mutually-beneficial partnerships, and capitalizing on market opportunities to ensure sustainable value to its stakeholders, nurture the local Emirati talent, and drive innovative solutions for the aerospace industry.

Mubadala Aerospace has forged collaborative agreements with world-class aerospace and aviation companies leveraging global expertise for advanced, end-to-end technologies, and manufacturing bases that offer state-of-the-art facilities as well as a global customer base. Creating and sustaining value for its businesses, Mubadala Aerospace has developed strategic partnerships with leading organizations such as EADS/Airbus, Finmeccanica/Alenia Aeronautica, GE, Sikorsky Aerospace Services, and Lockheed Martin Corporation to build and maintain a globally competitive advantage.

The portfolio of businesses include: Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Centre (AMMROC), SR Technics, Sanad Aero Solutions, Strata Manufacturing, Horizon International Flight Academy, and Piaggio Aero.  Each of these companies has proven expertise in its field and performs with a mutual endeavor to be best-in-class.

Mubadala Aerospace is hosting, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Etihad Airways, the Global Aerospace Summit 2012, a select, invitation-only gathering of global industry leaders across the aerospace, aviation and space sectors that aims to promote cross industry thought leadership. This event takes place from 16 to 19 of April 2012 in Abu Dhabi - the capital of the United Arab Emirates, marking the emergence of the Emirate as an aerospace and aviation powerhouse in the global arena. For further information on the Global Aerospace Summit 2012, please visit www.aerospacesummit.ae.

For further information please contact:
Alisdair Haythornthwaite, BPME at Mobile: (+971) 56 690 1725; Emai

© Press Release 2011