Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
flyadeal Reaches 40 Aircraft Milestone Supporting Saudi Aviation Growth
flyadeal achieves delivery of 40th Airbus A320neo, advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and expanding fleet for future long-haul operations.
Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier flyadeal has reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 40th aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, marking a significant achievement in its rapid fleet expansion since its launch in 2017. The delivery ceremony took place in Toulouse, France, on July 22, 2025, and included a symbolic handover to Captain Naif Almatrafi, Director of Operations at flyadeal. The event was notable not only for the aircraft itself but also for the inclusion of 13 flyadeal employees who participated in the celebration and return flight to Jeddah.
This milestone reflects flyadeal’s strategic role in Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation and economic diversification goals under Vision 2030. Since its inception, the airline has focused on delivering low-cost, efficient travel options to both domestic and international markets. With a current fleet of 40 aircraft, 29 A320neos and 11 A320ceos, flyadeal continues to position itself as a key player in the Middle East’s rapidly growing low-cost carrier (LCC) segment.
The delivery of the 40th aircraft is more than a numerical achievement. It symbolizes the carrier’s operational maturity, its alignment with national aviation goals, and its readiness to expand into long-haul markets through a planned acquisition of Airbus A330neo aircraft beginning in 2027.
flyadeal was established in 2016 as a subsidiary of Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, under the SV2020 Transformation Strategy. It began operations in September 2017 with a focus on providing affordable air travel within the Kingdom. The airline’s initial fleet consisted of eight Airbus A320ceo aircraft, which were deployed on high-demand domestic routes.
From the outset, flyadeal aimed to serve a broad customer base, including religious pilgrims, domestic travelers, and price-sensitive passengers. Its business model was built around operational efficiency, fleet commonality, and digital engagement, which laid the foundation for its rapid expansion. By 2019, flyadeal had doubled its fleet and was serving 11 destinations across Saudi Arabia.
In a pivotal move in 2019, flyadeal shifted from a tentative order of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to a firm commitment with Airbus for 30 A320neo aircraft, with an option for 20 more. This decision was influenced by the global grounding of the 737 MAX and allowed flyadeal to maintain fleet consistency while expanding capacity. The airline’s exclusive use of Airbus narrowbody aircraft has since become a core element of its operational strategy.
flyadeal’s growth trajectory has been characterized by aggressive fleet expansion and route development. As of mid-2025, the airline operates 40 aircraft, with plans to more than double this number by 2030. A significant part of this expansion includes a 2024 order for 51 additional Airbus aircraft, 12 A320neos and 39 A321neos, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026.
In addition to narrowbody growth, flyadeal is preparing to enter the long-haul market with the planned acquisition of 10 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft starting in 2027. This move will enable the airline to operate non-stop flights to Europe and Asia, expanding its market reach and aligning with Saudi Arabia’s tourism and economic goals. Operational data from the first half of 2024 highlights the airline’s upward trajectory: a 9% increase in available seats, an 8% increase in routes (totaling 75), and a 12% increase in fleet size. Passenger numbers also surged, with flyadeal transporting nearly 8 million passengers in 2024 alone, contributing to a cumulative total of over 35 million since its launch.
“An incredibly proud moment for the flyadeal family to now operate a fleet of 40 aircraft in such a short time… It’s an amazing achievement, a great milestone, and one to build on as we continue to expand with vigour.”, Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal
flyadeal has distinguished itself in the Middle East’s competitive LCC market through a combination of punctual operations, digital innovation, and strategic route planning. The airline achieved a 91% on-time performance rate in 2024, with a peak of 95.99% in September, positioning it as one of the most punctual carriers globally.
Digital engagement is another pillar of flyadeal’s success. Approximately 99% of customer transactions are completed through mobile applications, significantly reducing distribution costs and enhancing customer convenience. This digital-first approach has enabled the airline to maintain low overhead while scaling operations.
Geographically, flyadeal operates from hubs in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam, giving it access to Saudi Arabia’s most populous regions. These strategic bases support both domestic and international routes, including new destinations in Egypt, Pakistan, and Europe. The airline also plays a key role in religious tourism, transporting tens of thousands of pilgrims annually.
The Middle East is currently the second-fastest growing aviation market globally, with LCCs accounting for 29% of total capacity, up from 13% in 2014. flyadeal competes with regional players like flynas and flydubai, each pursuing similar growth strategies. However, flyadeal’s alignment with national objectives and its rapid fleet expansion give it a unique position in the market.
According to industry data, the average annual growth rate for LCC seat capacity in the region has been 11.5% over the last decade. flyadeal’s growth has outpaced this average, supported by government-backed infrastructure investments and a favorable regulatory environment.
As part of its competitive strategy, flyadeal continues to invest in workforce development. The airline’s headcount grew by 70% in 2024, reaching 1,325 employees. This includes the launch of cadet pilot programs and technical training initiatives designed to localize the workforce and support long-term operational needs.
flyadeal’s expansion strategy is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub. Key aviation targets under this initiative include tripling passenger traffic to 330 million annually, increasing the number of destinations served to over 250, and boosting aviation’s contribution to GDP from $21.3 billion to $74.6 billion. Mohammed Alkhuraisi, Executive Vice President of Strategy at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), emphasized the importance of fleet growth in achieving these goals: “In order to realise our Vision 2030 target of 150 million tourism visits, which translates to around 330 million passengers, we need to triple the size of our fleet.” flyadeal’s projected fleet of 100 aircraft by 2030 represents a significant portion of this national objective.
Beyond fleet expansion, flyadeal contributes to Vision 2030 through job creation, workforce localization, and the development of new routes that support tourism. The airline’s seasonal operations for Hajj and Umrah, as well as new services to underserved international markets, play a critical role in supporting the Kingdom’s broader economic and social goals.
flyadeal’s receipt of its 40th aircraft marks a pivotal moment in the airline’s development and in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. The milestone underscores the success of a low-cost model that combines operational efficiency, digital innovation, and strategic alignment with national objectives. From a modest start in 2017, flyadeal has rapidly scaled its operations to become a key player in the Middle East’s aviation landscape.
Looking ahead, the airline’s plans to expand its narrowbody fleet and enter the long-haul market signal continued growth and diversification. As Saudi Arabia pursues its Vision 2030 objectives, flyadeal is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of the Kingdom’s aviation industry, setting a benchmark for emerging-market carriers worldwide.
What type of aircraft did flyadeal receive as its 40th delivery? How many aircraft does flyadeal plan to operate by 2030? What is flyadeal’s role in Vision 2030?
flyadeal’s 40th Aircraft Milestone: Strategic Growth in Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Expansion
Historical Foundations of flyadeal
Strategic Expansion and Fleet Growth
Operational Performance and Market Position
Regional Low-Cost Carrier Landscape
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
Conclusion
FAQ
The 40th aircraft is an Airbus A320neo, delivered in July 2025.
flyadeal aims to operate over 100 aircraft by 2030, including narrowbody and widebody jets.
flyadeal supports Vision 2030 by expanding air connectivity, creating jobs, and contributing to tourism growth in Saudi Arabia.
Sources
Photo Credit: Aviation Business