Flydubai, Dubai’s innovative low-cost airline, received the Outstanding Contribution to Aviation trophy at the annual Aviation Business Awards, held yesterday in Dubai.

The airline also maintained its status as Low Cost Airline of the Year, having collected the same award 12 months ago with the panel of six judges citing flydubai’s impressive network growth and innovative services.

The annual Aviation Business Awards (ABA) celebrates the achievements within the Middle East aerospace industry and its growing dominance on a global scale.

Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “I am honoured to collect these two awards on behalf of the whole flydubai team. The Outstanding Contribution is particularly significant as it recognises the small contribution we make to the UAE’s burgeoning aviation sector.

“The leadership of the UAE Government has enabled our industry to flourish and we look forward to playing a greater role in the UAE’s development of trade, tourism and transport as we continue to grow our network and fleet.”

Over the past twelve months, flydubai has launched operations to 10 new destinations including to Bucharest, Skopje, Kiev and Sana’a.

The airline also recently signed a $117.5 million loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the United States for three Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. One has already been delivered and the remaining two are due before the end of the year.

Walid Akawi, CEO, ITP Publishing Group, said: “We congratulate flydubai on winning Low Cost Airline of the Year for the second consecutive year. The judges recognised the airline’s rapid route expansion, its emphasis on opening up previously underserved regions and the development of in-flight services that have helped increase ancillary revenues.” – TradeArabia News Service