Flyadeal to Decide on New or Used Widebody Jets by Year-End

flyadeal, the low-cost carrier based at Jeddah International Airport, announced that it will finalize its decision between acquiring new or used widebody aircraft by the end of 2024. CEO Steven Greenway revealed this information during an interview with FlightGlobal at a UK Aviation Club event in London.

Greenway emphasized that flyadeal operates primarily on high-volume, low-yield routes, which heavily influences their fleet strategy. “The overarching economics is it’s high-volume, low-yield [routes]. That’s where it sits for us,” he explained. The CEO mentioned that both new Airbus A330s and Boeing 787s remain viable options for expanding the airline’s widebody fleet. However, as part of the Saudia Group, flyadeal is also considering repurposing older Boeing 787s already present within the group.

“They are already in the Kingdom, there’s experience with the engine and the airframe. So you already now have two operators with the B787s and General Electric engines, so that is one option,” Greenway stated. He highlighted the importance of avoiding reliance on wet leases, which are less sustainable for long-term operations.

Currently, flyadeal’s fleet consists of eleven Airbus A320-200s and twenty-five Airbus A321-200Ns. Additionally, the airline leases a single Airbus A330-200 from Jordan Aviation, according to ch-aviation fleet data. Greenway aims to secure widebody deliveries by 2027-2028 to support the airline’s growth plans.

In a recent appearance on the Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast, Greenway elaborated on the benefits of larger aircraft for managing limited airport slots and terminal facilities, particularly in major hubs like Dubai International and Riyadh. He also identified India as a potential new destination for flyadeal’s widebody services, reflecting the airline’s strategic expansion into high-demand markets.

Greenway pointed out the increasing popularity of the Dubai-Jeddah and Riyadh-Jeddah routes, driven by Vision 2030 investments in Saudi Arabia. Many Saudi nationals working in the capital commute daily to Jeddah, necessitating efficient and frequent flight services between these cities.

Earlier in the year, Greenway mentioned that flyadeal had dismissed the Airbus A350 as too large for their current needs when discussing widebody options. Instead, the airline is planning to introduce its first Airbus A321neo in the first quarter of 2026, further enhancing its narrowbody fleet.

flyadeal’s strategic decision-making regarding its widebody fleet will play a crucial role in supporting the airline’s expansion and meeting the evolving demands of its passenger base. By carefully evaluating the benefits of new versus used aircraft, flyadeal aims to optimize its operations for sustainability and cost-effectiveness, ensuring continued growth in the competitive low-cost carrier market.

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