flydubai Signs $20 Million Maintenance Support Contract With Honeywell

DUBAI, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- flydubai, Dubai's pioneering low cost airline, has signed a Maintenance Cost Agreement with Honeywell (NYSE: HON), worth more than $20 million, to provide maintenance support for the carrier's auxiliary power units (APUs) installed on its growing fleet of Boeing 737-800 NG passenger aircraft.

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The ten-year contract provides flydubai with a stable, predictable maintenance structure that reduces costs associated with ad-hoc maintenance work and unscheduled airframe grounding. It also extends the operational availability of the fleet, which currently stands at 20 aircraft. flydubai has another 30 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft on order.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: "With one of the highest fleet utilisation rates in the industry, we need to ensure that our aircraft fully support the operations schedule and Honeywell's timely responses will safeguard this. This contract will also help flydubai maximise our operational efficiency to maintain our excellent performance record, while providing cost savings that we can pass onto passengers by way of lower fares."

Honeywell's 131-9B APU supplies auxiliary power to each of flydubai's Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft for engine start, as well as power for on-board air conditioning and pre-engine start-up power supply.

APU reliability is essential to ensure aircraft adhere to exacting international safety and performance requirements whether on the ground or flying over water. flydubai selected Honeywell as it can meet these standards at an attractive price point.

flydubai already has one of the highest utilisation rates in the industry at between 13 and 16 hours a day, but the need for airlines to maximise aircraft efficiency was highlighted recently by new data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reporting that Middle Eastern passenger traffic increased by 9.1% in September 2011 over September 2010.

"With passenger demand in the Middle East growing rapidly, the need to maximise the operational capacity and efficiency of aircraft fleets while maintaining a high level of safety, is now top of operators' agendas," John Bolton, President Air Transport & Regional, Honeywell Aerospace said. "As one of the region's leading low cost carriers, cost reduction and serviceability of fleets is of paramount importance to flydubai.  Our Maintenance Cost Agreement will reduce costs arising from unscheduled APU maintenance and maximise the flight status of its Boeing 737-800 NG fleet in the process."

In addition to Honeywell's standard APU product warranty, the Maintenance Cost Agreement provides flydubai with on-demand technical expertise from Honeywell's regional engineers.  With flydubai's fleet growth over the next five years, the Maintenance Cost Agreement delivers maximum return on investment and operational availability that can be scaled to accommodate both current and future fleet demands.

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 AED 50 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.

Note to editors:

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: [email protected] 
Meabh O'Reilly, DABO & CO at Mobile (+971)50 915 5735
Email: [email protected]

About Honeywell

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell's aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials.  Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.  Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

SOURCE Honeywell