Flydubai, Dubai’s pioneering low-cost airline, has doubled the size of its fleet in just one year following the arrival of its 18th aircraft earlier this week.

The new Boeing 737-800 NG represents an investment of $80 million and is the latest delivery of the order of 50 placed by flydubai at the 2008 Farnborough Airshow.

“We are the world’s fastest growing start-up airline and a significant contributor to our success has been our young, efficient and expanding fleet,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai.

“The range and capabilities of our 18 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft allows us to provide our customers with high-quality, low-cost links to destinations in the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe.”

“The new aircraft has gone straight into service just in time to support the new CIS routes launching in September, as well as the upcoming busy Eid holiday,” he added.

The 11th in the flydubai fleet features the Boeing’s new Sky Interior and the revolutionary fibre-to-the-screen in-flight entertainment system by Lumexis.

The new aircraft will also incorporate Goodrich Corporation Duracarb carbon brakes and Zonal drying system, increasing fuel-efficiency and savings in emissions and costs, a statement said.