flyadeal Faces Fleet Growth Strain Amid Delays

flyadeal, the Saudi low-cost carrier based at Jeddah International, is gearing up for rapid fleet expansion while grappling with persistent supply chain issues, according to CEO Steven Greenway. Speaking to Aviation Week, Greenway revealed that the airline expects to receive roughly one new aircraft per month over the next five to six years—a growth that would boost its fleet from the current 41 aircraft (including three wet-leased) to an impressive 102.

While this aggressive expansion plan presents a significant opportunity for flyadeal, it also comes with substantial challenges. “We’re suffering delays, albeit less so on the airframe side and more on the engines,” Greenway explained. He elaborated that the delays extend beyond engines to other critical components such as seats, galleys, and similar items that go into the aircraft. These issues, he noted, are expected to persist for nearly the same period as the fleet growth, putting enormous pressure on the airline’s operations and financial planning.

flyadeal is owned by the state-owned Saudia Group, which also operates the flag carrier Saudia. Currently, flyadeal’s fleet is comprised of a mix of narrowbody jets and wet-leased widebodies. The carrier operates eleven Airbus A320-200s and twenty-seven A320-200Ns, in addition to two wet-leased A330-200s and one wet-leased A330-300. Looking ahead, the airline has already placed orders for another sixteen A320-200Ns and thirty-nine A321-200Ns. Furthermore, there is buzz in the industry that flyadeal is poised to place a widebody order soon, with reports suggesting a likely order for ten Airbus A330-900Ns.

Despite these ambitious plans, Greenway acknowledges that the supply chain challenges are complex and affect every aspect of the business. “Supply chain issues at MRO providers and with furnished equipment are making it more complex to run the airline,” he said. However, he emphasized that these challenges are not unique to flyadeal and that the entire aviation industry is facing similar hurdles. To mitigate these delays, flyadeal has opted to buy off-the-shelf equipment for its cabins and has cultivated strong relationships with its outsourcing partners. These measures have helped the carrier to maintain a degree of resilience amid the disruptions.

The airline’s growth strategy is not just about adding aircraft—it’s also focused on expanding its route network. flyadeal currently operates to 28 airports across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. This extensive network positions the airline to capture a larger share of the regional market, especially as demand for low-cost travel continues to rise.

Greenway’s remarks underscore the balancing act flyadeal must perform: on one hand, an aggressive expansion plan aimed at modernizing and increasing its fleet, and on the other, navigating ongoing supply chain disruptions that threaten to delay aircraft deliveries and related equipment. As flyadeal continues to execute its fleet growth strategy, its ability to manage these challenges will be critical in determining whether it can meet the high expectations set by its ambitious expansion goals.

While flyadeal’s plan to rapidly grow its fleet is set to transform the carrier into a formidable player in the low-cost market, persistent supply chain delays—especially concerning engines and cabin equipment—pose a significant challenge. The outcome will depend on how effectively the airline can balance these factors to deliver on its growth promises.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com