Dubai government is set to more than double budget carrier Flydubai’s capital to AED500m ($136.1m).

The government-owned airline currently has a capital of AED220m and the extra capital will help it with its aims to expand its network and increase its fleet.

The carrier has an existing fleet of eight new Boeing 737 aircraft and operates to 17 destinations.

The airline plans to begin routes to four more destinations by the end of June.

Flydubai will start flying to Latakia on 20 June, Istanbul on 17 June, Colombo in Sri Lanka on 23 June and Karachi on 21 June (MEED 6:5:10).

The carrier’s main competition is Sharjah-based Air Arabia, which is also a low-cost carrier.