Sunday, October 6, 2024 Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flyadeal is gearing up for a significant shift in its network strategy as the airline continues to expand its fleet. Currently, Flyadeal’s operations are heavily domestic, with 80% of its flights serving routes within Saudi Arabia. However, with the arrival of new aircraft, Flyadeal is set to increase its focus on international routes, with the goal of rebalancing its network to 65% domestic and 35% international operations by 2028.
Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway, speaking at the Routes World 2024 conference in Bahrain, emphasized the airline’s strategic shift towards international growth. “As new aircraft arrive, we will be rebalancing our network. The focus is not just on expanding geographically but on deepening our presence in key markets,” Greenway said.
New Aircraft to Enable International Growth Flyadeal’s fleet expansion is central to its international growth plans. The airline is set to grow from 35 to 88 aircraft over the next four years, thanks to a steady stream of Airbus A320 and A321 deliveries. Additionally, the airline is evaluating widebody aircraft, with plans to order either Airbus A330s or Boeing 787s by the end of 2024.
These widebody aircraft will allow Flyadeal to serve long-haul destinations and further enhance its international footprint. Greenway highlighted that all routes within a five-hour flight range of Saudi Arabia are currently under evaluation. This range includes key markets i.
