Plane deals help Emirates, Flydubai bridge fleet gap

Emirates and Flydubai have laid the groundwork for the next phase of Dubai's aviation project with orders for US$40b of jets that will narrow a gap between regional and global networks connecting travellers from Sarajevo to Sydney. The two govt-of-Dubai-owned airlines have largely pursued separate strategies until recently being steered towards closer commercial ties by their sole shareholder. "I would say the first step that we took is paying off. As of the first week we could see the progress and how positive it is," Emirates and FlyDubai chairman sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said. Emirates and Flydubai said in July they would forge closer commercial ties and that both would benefit from a combined fleet of 380 jets flying to as many as 240 destinations by 2022. <br/>