DUBAI, UAE / RankWire.AI / – Dubai-based airline flydubai announced a significant expansion of its European route network on Wednesday, boosting flight frequencies to major Italian destinations to cater to increasing international travel. Official statements issued by Emirates News Agency confirmed that flydubai is expanding operations in Italy with more flights to Milan-Bergamo and Naples, strengthening direct connections between the United Arab Emirates and Southern Europe. Starting July 31, 2026, the airline will operate double-daily flights between Dubai International Airport and Milan-Bergamo Airport. Additionally, service to Naples International Airport has been increased to a daily schedule, reinforcing flydubai’s presence in Italy’s key urban centers.
This expanded timetable broadens the airline’s overall footprint in Italy, which already includes three weekly flights to Catania Airport in Sicily and twice-weekly seasonal summer flights to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport in Sardinia, operating through the end of August. The airline also outlined operational adjustments due to scheduled infrastructure work in Southern Italy. From November 1 to November 30, 2026, flydubai will temporarily reroute its daily service from Dubai International Airport to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport because of planned maintenance at Naples International Airport. Normal flights to Naples will resume on December 1, 2026, with passengers holding existing bookings automatically transferred to the Salerno route during the interim period.
Expansion of Commercial Flights Bolsters Trade and Tourism Ties
The increased services to Milan-Bergamo and Naples continue to operate under the established codeshare agreement between flydubai and the flag carrier Emirates. This partnership enables passengers to benefit from integrated itineraries, single-ticket purchases, synchronized schedules, and through-checked baggage across both airlines. Through the joint network centered at Dubai’s aviation hub, travelers connecting from Italian airports gain streamlined access to prominent long-haul destinations across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including direct links to Kenya, Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Zanzibar.
This capacity increase aligns with broader trends in commercial aviation across the Middle East and Europe, where international passenger volumes have steadily recovered following the pandemic. The rise in flight frequencies supports expanding bilateral trade, commercial investments, and leisure tourism exchanges between the United Arab Emirates and Italy. The additional double-daily flights to Milan-Bergamo expand seat capacity for business travelers heading to Italy’s key financial and industrial hub, while daily flights to Southern Italy cater to growing seasonal tourist demand visiting historic sites along the Amalfi Coast.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, commented on the network expansion, stating that Naples and Milan have become essential gateways within the airline’s European network. He emphasized that maintaining reliable regional access remains a priority, alongside a long-term commitment to improving connectivity in underserved markets. Al Ghaith pointed out that market data indicates that flydubai’s strategic frequency increases will accommodate the rising passenger flows between the UAE and Italy, especially as travel demand accelerates into the winter season.
More Flights to Milan and Naples Boost Capacity
Jeyhun Efendi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, highlighted that the focus on increasing direct flights to Naples and Milan-Bergamo underscores the Italian market’s importance. Efendi explained that offering nonstop connections allows international travelers to leverage the combined reach of flydubai and Emirates for seamless access to global destinations via Dubai. The airline’s commercial leadership confirmed that fleet and operational teams are prepared to handle the increased daily flight schedule, ensuring reliable service across both passenger and cargo operations.
The operational enhancements in Italy are part of flydubai’s broader fleet expansion and international network growth strategy. As the airline continues to incorporate modern narrow-body aircraft into its fleet, planners are aiming to further increase frequencies on high-demand European routes. These Italian route upgrades strengthen Dubai’s role as a global aviation hub, facilitating smooth passenger and freight flows between Europe and expanding markets across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and East Africa.