flydubai receives Executive Leadership for Middle East & Africa accolade at 2025 Airline Strategy Awards
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, has been awarded the Executive Leadership for the Middle East & Africa accolade at the 2025 Airline Strategy Awards in London last night.The Airline Strategy Awards, now in their 21st edition, are globally recognised for celebrating excellence in airline leadership and strategic innovation. Organised by FlightGlobal in partnership with Korn Ferry, the awards are judged by an independent panel of respected industry experts.This year's award recognises Ghaith Al Ghaith's strategic leadership and longstanding contribution to the aviation industry in the Middle East and Africa. Since the airline's inception in 2008, he has led the transformation of flydubai into one of the region's most dynamic carriers, building a network of more than 135 destinations across 58 countries, more than 100 of which were underserved markets that previously did not have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE carrier.Under Al Ghaith's leadership, the airline has emerged as a key contributor to the aviation sector, playing a strategic role in supporting Dubai's ambitious economic vision and its position as a global aviation hub.Commenting on the award, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: 'it is an honour to receive this award on behalf of the entire flydubai team, whose hard work and dedication have made this achievement possible. This recognition reflects not only our collective efforts but also the visionary leadership and world-class infrastructure of Dubai and the UAE, which have laid the foundation for innovation, growth and long-term success.''Since our launch, our mission has been to enable free flows of trade and tourism and to open up underserved markets. Today, we continue to reach new heights across our fleet, network, workforce and performance. I'm proud of how far we've come and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and evolve, contributing to Dubai's aviation hub along the way. It has been an exceptional journey and I look forward to the next chapter in our success story,' added Al Ghaith.In 2024, flydubai achieved its strongest-ever financial performance, reporting a profit of Dh 2.5 billion on revenues of Dh 12.8 billion, carrying 15.4 million passengers, an 11% compared to 2023. These results reflect Ghaith's ability to steer the airline to new heights, navigating challenges such as supply chain disruptions and broader geopolitical tensions, all while maintaining agility, its commitment to operational efficiency and challenging conventions.He has also led a growing workforce representing more than 140 nationalities, while further investing in the airline's training programmes and inhouse capabilities. These include the opening of the airline's new Flight Training centre, the launch of the Ab Initio Pilot Training programme, and the groundbreaking of the Aircraft Maintenance Centre.flydubai continues to invest in its offering, with a major cabin retrofit across its Boeing 737 fleet and plans to add 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to support long-term growth. Its growing partnership network of more than 36 interline and codeshare agreements, which includes Emirates, Air Canada and United Airlines, has expanded its global connectivity, with over 22 million passengers benefitting from its partnership with Emirates alone.
Recent enhancements to the passenger experience include its dedicated Business Class check-in area and lounge at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB), along with its newly refurbished Travel Shop in Dubai and ongoing retrofit programme to refresh its cabins on its fleet of Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft. These ongoing investments demonstrate the airline's unwavering commitment to innovation and providing an enhanced customer experience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Middle East takes lead in global energy markets, clean tech adoption, says report
16 July 2025 00:40 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The Middle East is dominating global energy markets while spearheading the adoption of clean energy technologies, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia taking the lead, according to the Energy Industries Council's (EIC) latest Survive & Thrive noted that 90% of energy companies operating in the region reported growth in 2024, with average revenues jumping at 68%, the highest across all regions a time when much of the world is grappling with policy uncertainty, inflation, and talent shortages, the Middle East appears to be charting its own, far more confident course, according to the energy supply chain association and provider of global project data and market insights. The region's standout performance is not a one-off. Companies are forecasting another strong year in 2025, the report in the Americas reported 20% growth on average, followed by the UK and Ireland at 16%, Continental Europe at 13%, and Asia Pacific lagging behind at 8%."The Middle East isn't picking winners, it's investing in all energy technologies," said Stuart Broadley, CEO of the EIC, the world's leading trade association for companies providing products and services to the energy industry. "That pragmatism is why it's now the global magnet for talent and capital. This is indeed the right approach to follow for energy security, industry growth, and supporting the energy transition."Instead of viewing the energy transition as a zero-sum game, governments in the region have taken a balanced and inclusive approach. Hydrocarbons remain vital, with more than 90% of EIC member companies in the region still focusing on oil and gas. But the growth of investment into renewables, hydrogen, and digital infrastructure reveals a willingness to embrace what's next, without abandoning what works now, the report a world where the average growth rate hovered between 8% and 20% in most regions, Middle Eastern firms more than tripled that figure. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, in particular, have made aggressive moves not just in oil and gas, but in AI-driven logistics, smart infrastructure, and clean technology, the report said."Encouraging tech adoption in logistics - like GPS tracking, automation, and AI - would increase efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness," said one executive interviewed for the Survive & Thrive report, echoing a broader sentiment that the region is now outpacing even the US and Europe in practical tech adoption. Broadley agrees: "The UAE and Saudi Arabia aren't just winning on oil and gas. They're out-innovating Europe and the US in tech adoption."
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Correctional Services Committee Concerned About Dilapidated State of Facilities Due to Budget Cuts
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services today re-iterated its grave concern regarding the state of correctional facilities around the country because of insufficient maintenance due to budget shortfalls. The committee indicated that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and National Treasury (NT) must work closely together to find solutions to the dire condition of some facilities. The committee today received a briefing from the DPWI on the dispute between the DPWI and the DCS about user charges and on matters identified during oversight visits. The DPWI told the committee that the itemised billing was approved by the NT in terms of Treasury regulations. However, the rates approved by the NT are far below the calculated level required to achieve full cost recovery. This has led in a shortfall of R24.1 billion since the implementation of itemised billing. The DPWI, which acts as landlord, said that it received R4.7 billion from client departments at an average of R23,24 per m2, whereas it pays the private sector R110 per m2. Annual day-to-day maintenance amounts to R2.2 billion for 56 414 buildings occupied by government and rates amount to R1.8 billion. The committee heard that in terms of the DCS, NT only allows it to pay R14.33 m2 for building space. The committee was told that, for properties occupied by the DCS, the DPWI is running at a loss. Over the past five years, the total deficit amounts to R1.9 billion, with an annual average loss of R376 million. However, a task team is working on finding solutions to the challenges facing the two departments. Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee noted the work of the task team. She advised the task team to identify and prioritise those matters that cannot be left to deteriorate further. This should include DCS's day-to-day operations, which require regular service and maintain. 'It does not help if you have a beautiful kitchen in a centre with five or six stoves but only one is working. We saw that for ourselves in KwaZulu-Natal. In some instances, we even had to recommend that the kitchen should be shut down,' Ms Ramolobeng said. 'Once inmates are unable to eat or are given one meal a day,' the Chairperson continued, 'it becomes a serious challenge.' The committee advised the DCS to continue to do maintenance and repairs and use offender labour for this. The filling of artisan vacancies was also highlighted, as they could assist offenders with repairing facilities. The committee also agreed on the need for a meeting of heads of department between the DCS, DPWI and NT to discuss the issue of the user charge allocation. During a presentation a few weeks ago, the committee heard that more than R842 million was processed and paid to the DPWI in terms of this allocation during the 2024/25 period. However, DPWI has since relinquished the majority of maintenance responsibilities to the DCS, even though payments were made. The committee will also invite NT to brief the committee on this matter. In addition, the committee will require regular updates from the task team on progress achieved. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Al Etihad
13 hours ago
- Al Etihad
flydubai receives Executive Leadership for Middle East & Africa accolade at 2025 Airline Strategy Awards
15 July 2025 20:39 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, has been awarded the Executive Leadership for the Middle East & Africa accolade at the 2025 Airline Strategy Awards in London last Airline Strategy Awards, now in their 21st edition, are globally recognised for celebrating excellence in airline leadership and strategic innovation. Organised by FlightGlobal in partnership with Korn Ferry, the awards are judged by an independent panel of respected industry year's award recognises Ghaith Al Ghaith's strategic leadership and longstanding contribution to the aviation industry in the Middle East and Africa. Since the airline's inception in 2008, he has led the transformation of flydubai into one of the region's most dynamic carriers, building a network of more than 135 destinations across 58 countries, more than 100 of which were underserved markets that previously did not have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE Al Ghaith's leadership, the airline has emerged as a key contributor to the aviation sector, playing a strategic role in supporting Dubai's ambitious economic vision and its position as a global aviation on the award, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: 'it is an honour to receive this award on behalf of the entire flydubai team, whose hard work and dedication have made this achievement possible. This recognition reflects not only our collective efforts but also the visionary leadership and world-class infrastructure of Dubai and the UAE, which have laid the foundation for innovation, growth and long-term success.''Since our launch, our mission has been to enable free flows of trade and tourism and to open up underserved markets. Today, we continue to reach new heights across our fleet, network, workforce and performance. I'm proud of how far we've come and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and evolve, contributing to Dubai's aviation hub along the way. It has been an exceptional journey and I look forward to the next chapter in our success story,' added Al 2024, flydubai achieved its strongest-ever financial performance, reporting a profit of Dh 2.5 billion on revenues of Dh 12.8 billion, carrying 15.4 million passengers, an 11% compared to 2023. These results reflect Ghaith's ability to steer the airline to new heights, navigating challenges such as supply chain disruptions and broader geopolitical tensions, all while maintaining agility, its commitment to operational efficiency and challenging has also led a growing workforce representing more than 140 nationalities, while further investing in the airline's training programmes and inhouse capabilities. These include the opening of the airline's new Flight Training centre, the launch of the Ab Initio Pilot Training programme, and the groundbreaking of the Aircraft Maintenance continues to invest in its offering, with a major cabin retrofit across its Boeing 737 fleet and plans to add 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to support long-term growth. Its growing partnership network of more than 36 interline and codeshare agreements, which includes Emirates, Air Canada and United Airlines, has expanded its global connectivity, with over 22 million passengers benefitting from its partnership with Emirates alone. Recent enhancements to the passenger experience include its dedicated Business Class check-in area and lounge at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB), along with its newly refurbished Travel Shop in Dubai and ongoing retrofit programme to refresh its cabins on its fleet of Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft. These ongoing investments demonstrate the airline's unwavering commitment to innovation and providing an enhanced customer experience.
