Dubai carriers Emirates and flydubai to integrate operations

 Emirates and flydubai have confirmed plans to integrate their operations as they respond to tough competition among global airlines.
The tie up means that the pair can mop up excess capacity on both of their networks as a global glut of planes forces fares lower.
Both airlines will continue to be managed independently, but will leverage each other’s network to scale up their operations and accelerate growth, Emirates said.
The partnership goes beyond code sharing and will include network integration as well as the coordination of scheduling.
“Both airlines have grown independently and successfully over the years, and this new partnership will unlock the immense value that the complementary models of both companies can bring to consumers, each airline, and to Dubai,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group and chairman of flydubai.
The two airlines also plan to develop their hub at Dubai International, aligning their systems and operations.
Emirates operates a wide-body fleet of 259 aircraft, flying to 157 destinations (including 16 cargo-only points) while flydubai has 58 new-generation Boeing 737 aircraft flying to 95 destinations. The current combined network comprises 216 unique destination points.

source:Arab News