Home News flydubai Launches Freighter Flights to Boost Regional Trade

flydubai to Launch Freighter Flights from Dubai to Enhance Trade

Sep 11, 2026
80 min
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Sep 11, 2026 10:30
flydubai to launch dedicated freighter flights from Dubai to boost regional trade

## New Freighter Operations

flydubai is set to begin dedicated freighter services from Al Maktoum International Airport starting October 1, 2026. The airline will operate three Boeing 737-800 freighters, each offering an additional 23,000kg of cargo capacity per flight. This initiative is part of flydubai's strategy to expand its role in regional trade and logistics.

## Expanding Cargo Capacity

The new freighter operations will complement the existing cargo capacity of flydubai's fleet of 98 Boeing 737 passenger aircraft. The airline plans to further increase its cargo capabilities with the future delivery of 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Additionally, flydubai is considering retrofitting passenger aircraft into freighters starting in 2029.

## Strategic Hub at DWC

The freighters will be based at Dubai World Central (DWC), providing access to specialized airside infrastructure and multimodal connectivity. This setup will enable flydubai Cargo to offer both scheduled and charter services to over 125 destinations across various regions, including Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

## Supporting Dubai's Trade Ambitions

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, emphasized that this expansion aligns with Dubai's goals to strengthen its position as a global trade and logistics hub. The dedicated freighter operations are seen as a crucial step in enhancing trade connectivity and logistics capabilities.

## Specialized Cargo Handling

The new freighters will allow flydubai to handle specialized cargo such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and express courier shipments. Initial flights will target high-demand regional routes, with plans to increase frequencies as capacity grows. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer, noted the evolving demands of commercial partners and the need for guaranteed cargo capacity and flexible scheduling.

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