Aviation360 MEA

flyadeal, one of the youngest and fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, has announced their 2024 half year performance figures with growth across its operations.

Compared with the first six months of 2023, the same January – June period this year saw flyadeal achieve increases in seat capacity, routes, fleet, on-time performance and workforce.

“Our first half performance in 2024 underscores our ongoing commitment to develop as the airline of choice in the Kingdom and beyond with a focus on service excellence and introducing more digitally enabled products to improve the customer experience,” Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said.

Key milestones included a landmark order for 51 Airbus narrowbody aircraft, including 12 further A320neos – the model being the backbone of flyadeal’s current fleet – and first-time customer of 39 bigger A321neos with deliveries scheduled from 2026.

In anticipation of continued growth, flyadeal has been busy hiring more flight crew. During the first half of 2024, the airline inducted its 50th batch of cabin crew and also launched a cadet programme for aspiring Saudi pilots with the first group having successfully completed their training.

The carrier was also recognised for its pioneering work in the development and adoption of digital technology being named Saudi Arabia’s Ecommerce Innovator of the Year at the Middle East Retail and Ecommerce Summit.

By the end of summer 2024, flyadeal expects to reach another key milestone, cumulatively flying 30 million passengers since launching operations in September 2017.

The airline operates a fleet of 33 aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam to a domestic and international route network covering almost 30 destinations across Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe and North Africa. By 2030, both fleet and destinations will triple in numbers.

“Our on-time performance which measures punctuality peaked at 91 percent, an incredible achievement and among the highest in the industry,” added Greenway.