flydubai Announces Two Key Executive Appointments
flydubai has announced the appointment of former Emirates Airline executive Hamad Obaidalla as Chief Commercial Officer and Neil Mills from easyJet as Chief Financial Officer
The appointments bring more than 30 years of combined expertise, both local and international, to the most senior levels of the airline and form a key part of the organisation’s drive for rapid expansion.
Hamad Obaidalla, a UAE national, brings an unrivalled depth of knowledge to his new role after 20 years at Emirates Airline, where he was most recently Divisional Senior Vice President, Network Operations.
His key management roles within Emirates involved operations in Saudi Arabia, East Africa, Yemen and Iran and provide a wealth of valuable working experience in the region.
A British/South African, Neil Mills brings specific knowledge and expertise from the budget airline sector, coming from one of Europe’s best known and most successful low cost carriers, easyJet. In his 12 years with the airline, where his last position was Procurement Director, Neil oversaw purchases and sales worth several billion GBP.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, described the new appointments as being invaluable to flydubai’s aspirations for growth. “Both Hamad and Neil bring a wealth of expertise to flydubai and I am delighted to be able to warmly welcome them to our growing team. We are embarking on an exciting journey as innovators in the low cost sector and I am glad that we have such senior staff from two of the world’s most successful airlines to travel with us.”
Neil and Hamad will work alongside former Southwest Airlines executive, Ken Gile, whose appointment as Chief Operating Officer was announced last summer.
The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying only for the services they want to receive. The ticket price includes all taxes and one piece of hand baggage, weighing up to 10kg, per passenger.
Passengers have the option to purchase checked-in baggage in advance at just AED40 for the first piece and AED100 for the second, weighing up to 32kgs, subject to availability. Checked baggage at the airport is also strictly subject to availability and passengers are advised to book online early to secure the space, as only pre-purchased baggage can be guaranteed.
A nominal payment of AED5 allows customers to select their seat and just AED50 secures the extra legroom positions. Bookings can be changed for a small fee, plus any difference in the fare, and food and drink can be purchased on board.
flydubai operates from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.
