Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, was honoured with the Executive Leadership for the Middle East & Africa award at the prestigious 2025 Airline Strategy Awards held in London. The accolade recognises his transformational leadership and lasting impact on the aviation industry across the region.
Now in its 21st year, the Airline Strategy Awards are globally respected for celebrating outstanding airline leadership and innovation. Organised by FlightGlobal in partnership with Korn Ferry, the winners are selected by an independent panel of senior industry experts.
Al Ghaith was recognised for his pivotal role in guiding flydubai from its founding in 2008 into a dynamic and influential airline. Over the years, the carrier has grown to operate a network spanning more than 135 destinations across 58 countries, with over 100 of those being underserved markets with limited or no previous direct links to Dubai.
Accepting the award, Al Ghaith said:
“It is an honour to receive this award on behalf of the entire flydubai team, whose hard work and dedication have made this achievement possible. This recognition reflects our collective efforts and the visionary leadership and infrastructure of Dubai and the UAE, which have enabled our long-term growth.”
Under his leadership, flydubai has aligned itself with Dubai’s broader economic and aviation ambitions, becoming a key player in connecting emerging markets to the city and beyond. The airline has steadily grown its fleet, network, and operational capabilities while embracing innovation.
In 2024, flydubai recorded its strongest-ever financial performance, reporting a profit of AED 2.5 billion on revenues of AED 12.8 billion, carrying 15.4 million passengers—an 11% year-on-year growth. These achievements come despite global supply chain challenges and geopolitical headwinds, underscoring Al Ghaith’s agility and strategic foresight.
Beyond financial success, Al Ghaith has overseen the expansion of a workforce comprising more than 140 nationalities, while investing heavily in talent development. Initiatives include a new Flight Training Centre, an Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme, and the Aircraft Maintenance Centre now under development.
The airline has also announced plans to introduce 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to support its long-term growth and to retrofit its existing Boeing 737 fleet to elevate onboard experiences. Its strategic partnerships—with over 36 interline and codeshare agreements, including Emirates, Air Canada, and United Airlines—have enhanced global connectivity, benefiting over 22 million passengers via the Emirates alliance alone.
Enhancements to the passenger experience include a Business Class check-in area and lounge at DXB Terminal 2, a refurbished Travel Shop, and a full cabin retrofit programme. These efforts reaffirm flydubai’s commitment to raising standards in regional air travel.
Al Ghaith concluded:
“I’m proud of how far we’ve come. This journey has been exceptional, and I look forward to the next chapter as we continue to innovate and contribute to Dubai’s aviation hub.”
