flyadeal Plans Widebody Addition to Target India by 2025
Flyadeal (F3), the low-cost subsidiary of Saudia Airlines, is strategically planning to introduce widebody aircraft to its fleet as part of its ambitious expansion into international markets, with India identified as the primary target for 2025. CEO Steven Greenway announced this initiative during a recent conference in Dubai, highlighting the airline’s commitment to tapping into the vast potential of the Indian subcontinent, reported ch-aviation.com.
“The [Indian] subcontinent is certainly something that is on our radar for the next 12 months, particularly India for the sheer market size,” Greenway stated at the Skift Global Forum East. He emphasized that flyadeal aims to cater to a diverse range of travelers, from pilgrims traveling from the UK for Hajj or Umrah to business professionals moving between Southeast Asia and destinations like Thailand. This strategic focus underscores flyadeal’s intent to leverage the growing demand for both religious and business travel within the region.
In addition to its international expansion plans, Greenway revealed that flyadeal anticipates increasing its domestic routes from 19 to 25. However, he noted that the majority of the airline’s growth will stem from its international operations. According to ch-aviation schedules data, flyadeal currently operates primarily domestic flights, with existing services extending to Egypt, Iraq, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. This balanced approach aims to strengthen flyadeal’s presence both within Saudi Arabia and in key international markets.
Currently, flyadeal does not possess any in-house widebody aircraft. Instead, the airline relies on wet-leasing an Airbus A330-200 from Jordan Aviation (R5, Amman Queen Alia). ADS-B data indicates that this aircraft predominantly serves the Jeddah International-Baghdad route, with a stopover in Madinah. This arrangement allows flyadeal to meet its current long-haul demands while assessing the feasibility of expanding its widebody fleet in the near future.
flyadeal’s existing in-house fleet, managed by its parent company Saudia (SV, Jeddah International), consists of eleven Airbus A320-200s and twenty-five A320-200Ns. These narrowbody aircraft are well-suited for the airline’s current domestic and regional routes, providing the necessary flexibility and efficiency for short to medium-haul flights. The planned introduction of widebody aircraft marks a significant shift towards accommodating higher passenger volumes and longer international routes, aligning with flyadeal’s growth strategy.
Last month, Greenway disclosed that flyadeal is actively evaluating both the Airbus A330 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for its widebody fleet expansion. The Airbus A330 offers a proven track record of reliability and efficiency for medium to long-haul flights, while the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is renowned for its advanced technology, fuel efficiency, and enhanced passenger comfort. The evaluation process will consider factors such as operational costs, fleet compatibility, and the ability to meet the specific demands of flyadeal’s targeted international routes.
The introduction of widebody aircraft is expected to significantly enhance flyadeal’s capacity to serve a broader range of destinations, particularly in high-demand markets like India. By expanding its fleet with larger aircraft, flyadeal aims to provide more seating options, improve flight frequencies, and offer a higher level of service to its passengers. This expansion is poised to strengthen flyadeal’s competitive position in the low-cost carrier market, both domestically and internationally.
flyadeal’s strategic initiatives reflect a broader trend in the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly focusing on expanding their international footprint to capture new market opportunities. By targeting India, flyadeal is positioning itself to take advantage of one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, driven by increasing economic activity, rising disposable incomes, and a growing middle class.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=flyadeal
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com