Flyadeal Plans Widebody Fleet Expansion by Q4 2024
Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flyadeal is making significant strides in its fleet expansion plans, with intentions to order either Airbus A330s or Boeing 787s by the end of 2024. Currently operating a single wet-leased Airbus A330 primarily for religious charter services, Flyadeal aims to diversify its operations and enhance its market presence.
Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway revealed this strategic plan during an interview at Routes World in Bahrain, stating, “We’re looking at an order, hopefully to be announced by the end of the year.” The airline currently operates 35 A320 aircraft, and the addition of widebody planes is seen as a critical step to meet growing demand.
Greenway is focused on expanding Flyadeal’s charter activities while also integrating widebody aircraft into its scheduled operations. “There’s a market out there, and we’re going after it,” he said, highlighting the airline’s ambition to tap into new revenue streams.
The evaluation process for the new widebody aircraft includes the A330 and the 787, as the A350 is deemed “too big” for the airline’s needs. Flyadeal plans to configure the new aircraft with a small premium cabin while emphasizing cabin density, aligning its service model more closely with that of a bus service.
Each aircraft type presents unique advantages for Flyadeal. The A320 fleet allows for a smooth transition to the A330, requiring just 10 days of difference training for crews. Conversely, Flyadeal’s parent company, Saudia, already operates Boeing 787s, although Greenway clarified that no aircraft would be sourced from Saudia’s existing orders. “This is going to be on top of what they’ve [Saudia] already done,” he noted.
In the interim, Flyadeal plans to incorporate a number of widebody aircraft on wet lease while awaiting the arrival of newly ordered planes. This move is part of a broader strategy to expand the fleet from 35 to 88 aircraft within the next four years. Three additional A320s are scheduled for delivery before the year’s end, with a planned arrival rate of one aircraft per month over the next four years, which includes the phased retirement of older A320ceo models.
By early 2026, Flyadeal is set to receive the first of 29 A321 aircraft, configured to accommodate 240 passengers. The addition of widebody aircraft will enable Flyadeal to serve destinations beyond the range of the A321.
Currently, Flyadeal’s network is comprised of 80% domestic and 20% international routes. However, as new aircraft are integrated into the fleet, this balance is expected to shift to 65% domestic and 35% international. Greenway emphasized that all routes within a five-hour range are under evaluation, but the focus will be on expanding the network’s footprint and depth rather than merely increasing the number of destinations.
While European destinations are considered, Greenway indicated they are not a priority due to the challenging regulatory environment and taxes in Europe. Instead, Flyadeal will concentrate on growth within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, where he sees substantial opportunities for expansion.
With these strategic initiatives, Flyadeal is positioning itself for robust growth in the competitive aviation market, aiming to enhance its service offerings and operational capabilities in the coming years.
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