Dubai-based airline flydubai is partnering with aviation technology provider ZestIoT to digitise aircraft turnaround processes, beginning at Dubai International Airport and expanding across its network of more than 135 destinations in 58 countries.
What Is the Digital Turnaround Platform?
flydubai will deploy ZestIoT's Digital Turnaround Platform, which gives ground operations teams real-time visibility across the entire turnaround cycle — from the moment an aircraft pulls onto the block through cleaning, catering, fuelling, and boarding. By connecting multiple operational data sources into a single interface, the system enables teams to spot potential disruptions early, collaborate more effectively, and make faster, data-driven decisions.
The platform uses predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to flag exceptions before they cascade into delays. Camera-based AI and IoT sensors feed a smart agent layer that monitors every activity and surfaces alerts to the right people at the right time.
Why flydubai Needs It
flydubai manages approximately 370 daily flights out of Dubai International Airport using a modern fleet of 97 Boeing 737 aircraft — 26 737-800s, 68 737 MAX 8s, and 3 737 MAX 9s. At that operating tempo, even small turnaround inefficiencies compound quickly across the day.
"As we steadily expand our operations, real-time visibility and optimised performance are essential," said Mohamed Hassan, Senior Vice President of Airport Services and Cargo at flydubai. "ZestIoT's platform gives our teams the tools to make smarter decisions faster."
Full Network Rollout Planned
The deployment begins at Dubai International before expanding network-wide. The airline has carried over 137 million passengers since it launched in 2009 and currently serves destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Amit Sukhija, Chief Executive Officer of ZestIoT, said the partnership marks a significant step in aviation's shift toward AI-driven operations. "flydubai is leading the way in adopting AI-driven turnaround management," he noted. "Our platform enables operational teams to make smarter decisions and achieve measurable improvements in on-time performance."
ZestIoT's Place in Aviation Tech
ZestIoT is a global aviation technology company headquartered in Hyderabad, India, with operations across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Its flagship Turnaround Management Platform is built on AI, IoT, and digital-twin technology designed specifically for airlines, airports, and ground handlers looking to improve on-time departures and passenger experience at scale.
The flydubai deployment is among the most ambitious full-scale rollouts of AI-driven turnaround management in the region, positioning the airline as an early mover in a sector where many carriers are still running limited pilots.
