Khaleej Times addresses five of the most important questions.
UAE residents woke up to the exciting news this morning that Emirates and flydubai, the two Dubai-based airlines, have entered into an extensive partnership to offer us customers unrivalled travel options.
While it isn't a merger - both will continue to be managed independently - they will 'leverage each other's network to scale up their operations and accelerate growth'. While that sounds great for the airlines, what does that mean for passengers like you and me?
Will we get cheaper airfares? Can we fly to more destinations directly? Can we use our Skywards Miles to book tickets on flydubai? We'll try to address five of the most important questions.
#1 Will the Emirates-flydubai alliance result in lower airfares?
While it is too early in the day to say conclusively that the partnership between Emirates and flydubai will translate into cheaper airfares, it is intuitive to believe that the resulting synergy will translate into cost-savings and better profits for both the airlines. This will help both airlines feed more traffic into each other's complementary networks, today's joint statement said. Those cost-savings and better seat load factor, in an open skies environment and an ultra-competitive world, should mean lower airfares for passengers.
#2 Will Dubai/UAE residents be able to fly to more destinations directly?
Both of Dubai's airlines are growing rapidly, and this means that going forward, we will, in any case, be able to visit more destinations directly. Emirates today flies to 157 destinations while flydubai does so to 95 destinations. The current combined network comprises 216 unique destination points, which is expected to grow to 240 destinations by 2022.
#3 Will Skywards members be able to use their miles to book tickets on flydubai?
Yes, earning and spending Skywards miles on the flydubai network should soon be possible. According to the statement issued by the airlines this morning, "the Emirates and flydubai teams are working together on a number of initiatives spanning commercial, network planning, airport operations, customer journey, and frequent flyer programmes alignment." So, while it may take some more time, you should be able to use your Skywards Miles to purchase flydubai tickets at some point in the future.
#4 When will we see the initial steps taken?
The announcement has just been made today (July 17, 2017), and the airlines have confirmed that they should be able to roll out the first enhanced code-sharing arrangements in the last quarter of 2017. "The partnership is working to optimise the networks and schedules of both airlines, to open up new city-pair connections offering consumers greater choice," the statement notes. So, it'll be fair to say that we'll definitely be able to experience the initial benefits of the alliance while booking our year-end/Christmas break tickets, if not sooner.
#5 Will flydubai also operate from T3?
If it happens, that will be a great move for passengers on the combined network. Today's statement does say that "the two airlines will also further develop their hub at Dubai International, aligning their systems and operations to ensure a seamless travel experience through the ultra-modern airport; currently the world's busiest for international passengers." Until further notice, however, flydubai continues to share Terminal 2 with other regional and low-cost carriers while Emirates passengers enjoy the dedicated Terminal 3 at DXB.
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