flydubai’s total revenue for the year 2016 hit 5 billion Dirham ($1.36 billion),  up 2.4% compared to the same period in 2015, with total profits reaching Dh31.6 million ($8.6 million).

The airline also recorded a 14.4% increase in passenger numbers last year, carrying 10.4 million passengers over a 12-month period compared to 9.04 million passengers in 2015.

The stronger second half, driven by increased passenger numbers, was impacted by downward pressure on yield leading to lower overall revenue growth reflecting a continuation of the same adverse factors reported in the first half.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said: “These results see flydubai report its fifth consecutive full-year of profitability. In 2012, our third year of operation, we carried 5.1 million passengers. This year, we have carried 10.4 million passengers demonstrating that flydubai continues to help change the way both business and leisure passengers travel around the region.  An established tourism destination and global center for business together with the UAE’s geographic location has supported the need for increased connectivity.”

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: “Over the last two years we have seen passenger traffic grow cumulatively by 52 per cent in terms of revenue passenger kilometers (RPKM). We continue to demonstrate that we gain loyal customers across our network who recognize the benefits of direct air links and enjoy our onboard offering. The continuation of mainly lower fuel prices and ongoing cost management efforts are reflected in the 16 per cent improvement in terms of available seat kilometers (ASKM) over the last two years. We have however seen a difficult pricing and operating environment.”

In 2016, eight next-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft joined fleet in support of flydubai’s network expansion. The average age of the fleet was 3 years 8.5 months.

flydubai continued to grow its experienced team with a total of 3,773 staff including 746 pilots, 1,618 cabin crew and 282 engineers.

flydubai operates a single fleet type of 57 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will take delivery of more than 100 aircraft by the end of 2023.