Dubai-based flydubai has introduced its first split scimitar winglets installation on its fleet of next-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The retrofit programme will see up to 30 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft fitted with the new split scimitar winglets until October 2020. Upon completion of the programme, the airline’s retrofitted next-generation aircraft will benefit from greater fuel efficiency while producing less carbon emissions.

The winglets are estimated to reduce flydubai’s annual fuel bill by over 200,000 litres per aircraft and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 510 tonnes per aircraft per year.

Commenting on the introduction of the Split Scimitar Winglets, Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at flydubai, said: “the Split Scimitar Winglets have been in use since 2013 and we have seen many airlines around the world benefit from this technology both financially and environmentally. Choosing to invest in the latest technologies and to retrofit our fleet is part of fulfilling our commitment to cost and operational efficiency and passing on the savings to our passengers.”

The retrofit programme is scheduled to coincide with the aircraft’s scheduled base maintenance checks. By installing the winglets during the periods of scheduled maintenance, the airline minimises the effect on aircraft availability and any disruption to its flying schedule.

The process takes up to four days per aircraft and the airline expects the programme to provide a return on investment in under three years.
(Aviation News Ltd.)