flydubai is moving into a new phase of its growth strategy with the launch of dedicated freighter operations, strengthening its role in Dubai’s logistics and trade ecosystem and further supporting the emirate’s position as a global connectivity hub.
From 01 October 2026, the airline will introduce three Boeing 737-800 freighter aircraft through a wet-lease agreement with SolitAir. Each flight will provide up to 23,000 kg of additional payload capacity, adding dedicated main-deck freight capability to the belly-hold capacity already available across flydubai’s fleet of 98 Boeing 737 passenger aircraft.
The cargo operation will initially provide additional capacity ahead of the fourth-quarter peak season. The airline also expects its freight capabilities to grow significantly following the planned delivery of 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. In parallel, flydubai plans to assess passenger-to-freighter conversion opportunities from 2029 onwards.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said the new operation reflects the airline’s commitment to Dubai’s ambitions as a global centre for trade, e-commerce and logistics.
“Dubai has established itself as one of the world’s most connected hubs for E-commerce, trade and logistics, and its ambitions under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 continue to create new opportunities for businesses to reach global markets,” he said.
According to Al Ghaith, the launch of dedicated freighters represents an important step in flydubai’s evolution. By expanding its cargo offering and strengthening its codeshare and interline partnerships, the airline aims to provide businesses with more efficient ways to move goods, reach new markets and support economic growth across the region and beyond.
The new operation will be based at Dubai World Central (DWC), giving flydubai Cargo, the airline’s cargo division, access to dedicated airside infrastructure as well as direct multimodal connectivity through Dubai South.
From this hub, flydubai will be able to operate both point-to-point charter services and scheduled freighter operations across a network covering more than 125 destinations. These markets span Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Southeast Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The dedicated freighter fleet will also allow the carrier to develop more specialised cargo solutions. Target commodities include aerospace components, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, perishables, live animals, express courier shipments and dangerous goods.
Initial freighter services will focus on regional routes where demand for additional cargo capacity is strongest. Frequencies are expected to increase progressively as the operation expands and additional capacity becomes available.
Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, highlighted the changing requirements of the airline’s commercial partners and the importance of guaranteed main-deck capacity.
“Since 2009, flydubai has opened more than 100 underserved markets and expanded regional connectivity. As trade requirements evolve, our partners require guaranteed main-deck capacity, flexible scheduling and specialised handling,” he said.
He added that establishing DWC as flydubai’s freighter hub will give commercial partners direct access to Dubai’s logistics ecosystem, supported by tailored services for high-value and sensitive cargo.
Under the leadership of Mohamed Hassan, Senior Vice President of Airport Services & Cargo at flydubai, and Rashid Albashri, Vice President of Cargo at flydubai, the expansion is expected to transform flydubai Cargo into a full-service logistics provider.
The division will offer both scheduled freight services and ad-hoc charter solutions, using flydubai’s expanding network to provide additional cargo connectivity across its international markets.
