Flydubai reports a profit of AED100.7 ($27.4 million) for 2015, following a stronger second half-year that saw increased numbers of passengers travel across its network.

Its total revenue for the full year was AED4.9 billion ($1.33 billion), an increase of 11 percent compared to 2014.

The overall yield in terms of fils per revenue passenger kilometer (RPKM) was under pressure attributable to the strong dollar, the challenging trading environment across the network, disruption resulting from the suspension of flights on some established routes and a large number of recently launched routes with a lead time required to reach maturity.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of flydubai, said: “2015 was an important year for flydubai. It was a year in which through determination and commitment we continued to realize our vision to increase connectivity in support of the UAE’s economic development. The year culminated in two achievements - the delivery of our 50th aircraft and our fourth full-year of profitability.”

Ghaith Al-Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “The overall trading environment has remained challenging but we have maintained our growth story and ended the year positively. Our robust passenger growth of 30 percent, in terms of RPKM, underlines the demand for travel within our geographic focus, the continued appeal of Dubai as a destination, and the popularity of our service.”

A stronger performance in the second half of the year coupled with cost management efforts has resulted in a positive end to the year.

Fuel costs reduced to 30.3 percent of operating costs benefiting from lower fuel prices with 59 percent of fuel costs unhedged.

In line with flydubai’s active fuel hedging policy, 16 percent of the fuel requirements for the next 24 months are currently hedged. This will provide a level of certainty and control to its fuel costs due to the ongoing fluctuation in fuel prices.