Flydubai Expands Beyond 125 Destinations as More Flights Are Added Across Key Markets
By Thasmiya
Dubai-based airline flydubai is continuing to expand its international network, adding new destinations and increasing flight frequencies across key markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The airline’s network has grown significantly beyond the 125-destination milestone. Flydubai reported that it served **140 destinations during 2025**, while its current network continues to evolve as new routes launch and services are adjusted according to demand.
For travellers flying from Dubai, the expansion means more direct routes, additional weekly flights and greater choice when planning business trips, holidays or visits home.
## **Flydubai’s network continues to grow**
Flydubai has steadily expanded since beginning operations in 2009, with a particular focus on destinations that previously had limited or no direct air connections with Dubai.
In 2025, the airline carried a record **15.7 million passengers** across a network of 140 destinations and operated 126,604 flights. Passenger growth was supported by additional frequencies and network expansion, with particularly strong growth reported across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The carrier has also opened more than 100 routes that previously did not have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.
## **More flights between Dubai and Bangkok**
Thailand has become an important growth market for flydubai.
The airline launched services between Dubai International Airport and Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport in July 2026 and subsequently increased Bangkok to **two flights per day** following strong passenger demand.
Flydubai also increased its Krabi service from four weekly flights to daily operations, strengthening connectivity between Dubai and Thailand.
Bangkok gives passengers another option for reaching Thailand while also providing onward connectivity through Dubai.
## **New direct flights to Pokhara, Nepal**
Another major addition is **Pokhara**, Nepal’s tourism capital.
Flydubai will begin daily flights from Dubai International to Pokhara International Airport on **September 23, 2026**, becoming the first UAE airline to operate direct flights to the city.
Pokhara will become flydubai’s second destination in Nepal alongside Kathmandu. The airline says it has carried approximately four million passengers to Nepal since beginning Kathmandu operations in 2009.
The new route could be particularly useful for tourists heading towards Nepal’s trekking regions and UAE residents visiting the country.
## **More capacity to Italy**
Flydubai is also increasing its European operations.
Flights between Dubai and **Naples** were increased to a daily service from July 27, while **Milan-Bergamo** was boosted to a double-daily operation from July 31 to meet increased travel demand.
The airline has continued expanding its presence across Europe as demand for leisure and business travel grows.
## **Budapest flights are back**
Direct services between Dubai and **Budapest** resumed on July 31, 2026.
The route initially operates three times per week and is scheduled to increase to **daily flights from October 25, 2026**, providing additional capacity for the autumn and winter travel season.
The service also connects with the wider Emirates-flydubai network through Dubai.
## **New routes to Aleppo and Benghazi**
Flydubai has expanded its Middle East and North Africa network as well.
The airline recently launched services to **Aleppo in Syria** and **Benghazi in Libya**.
Aleppo is served daily from Dubai International Terminal 3 and operates under flydubai’s codeshare partnership with Emirates.
These additions reflect flydubai’s long-standing strategy of connecting Dubai with markets that have historically had fewer direct international air links.
## **Emirates partnership gives passengers even more options**
One of flydubai’s biggest connectivity advantages is its codeshare partnership with Emirates.
Passengers travelling on eligible codeshare journeys can benefit from a single ticket, coordinated itineraries and through-checked baggage.
The combined Emirates and flydubai network gives passengers access to **more than 240 destinations worldwide**, according to flydubai.
This means a destination that is not directly served by flydubai may still be accessible through the combined network.
## **More airline partnerships are expanding connectivity**
Flydubai has also been developing partnerships with other international airlines.
In May 2026, flydubai and Cyprus Airways announced an interline agreement allowing passengers travelling from Larnaca to connect through Dubai to destinations including Almaty, Astana, Colombo, Dhaka, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Krabi, Malé, Penang and Riyadh.
These partnerships allow the airline to extend its effective reach beyond destinations served by its own aircraft.
## **Flydubai is also expanding into dedicated cargo**
The airline’s growth is not limited to passenger flights.
From **October 1, 2026**, flydubai plans to launch dedicated freighter operations using three Boeing 737-800 freighter aircraft through a wet-lease agreement with SolitAir.
The aircraft will operate from Al Maktoum International Airport, providing additional cargo capacity and supporting trade across flydubai’s network. Each aircraft will provide approximately **23,000kg of additional payload capacity per flight**.
The move supports Dubai’s wider ambition to strengthen its position as an international aviation, logistics and trade hub.
## **What the expansion means for UAE travellers**
For passengers in the UAE, flydubai’s growth can mean more than simply having additional destinations on the route map.
Higher frequencies can provide more departure-time choices, make short trips easier to plan and improve connections through Dubai.
New direct routes can also remove the need for connecting flights to cities that previously had limited links with the UAE.
Travellers should still check current schedules before booking because frequencies can change seasonally or in response to demand.
## **Why this matters**
Flydubai has grown from a Dubai-based regional carrier into an airline connecting the city with destinations across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the GCC, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
After serving 140 destinations during 2025, the airline continues to add routes and increase capacity in markets such as Thailand, Nepal, Italy and Hungary.
For UAE travellers, that means more direct connections and greater flexibility. For Dubai, flydubai’s continued expansion strengthens the city’s position as one of the world’s most connected aviation hubs.
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