New low-fare airline ‘flyadeal’ ready to start operations with first aircraft delivery

flyadeal, the newly established low-fare airline in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), has taken delivery of its first brand new aircraft and the first of eight Airbus A320ceos, arriving between now and mid- 2018. The eight aircraft are part of the airline’s initial fleet plan, with future growth in the coming years.

At a special delivery ceremony at the Airbus Finkenwerder Facility in Hamburg, Germany, officials from flyadeal, Airbus, CFM Engines, DAE, government dignitaries and members of the international media were in attendance to inaugurate the airline’s first aircraft to join the fleet.

Chairman of flydeal, H.E. Mr Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser was present in Hamburg on the occasion: “Saudi Arabia has launched its Vision 2030; a strategic platform for the future development of the Kingdom where transportation and tourism are key pillars.  The launch of flyadeal is essential to contributing to the continued growth in air travel in Saudi Arabia and beyond”. 

Continued Mr. Al-Jasser: “The unique identity and service model of flyadeal will provide travelers with an experience that is complementary with the modern and budget conscious traveler.”  

The new flyadeal brand is focused on providing a low-fare, high value product to a growing travel segment in the Kingdom.

The creation of flyadeal is aligned with the key pillars outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which includes a roadmap to grow the country’s travel hubs and leverage its key geographic location and position.  

Operating as a separate company under Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, flyadeal complements the existing range of services offered by the aviation group.

Announced in 2016, flyadeal will commence operations on a special date; September 23, the national day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At the start of operations, flyadeal will serve domestic points initially before expanding in the Middle East region.

CEO of flyadeal, Con Korfiatis said: “flyadeal will be Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, providing a readily accessible low fare travel with an optimal fleet to serve our domestic and regional markets.”

“Saudi Arabia and the region at large, has a very young and digitally savvy population, who has an increasing thirst for low fare travel domestically and across the region. flyadeal plans to serve and grow this significant segment of air travel,” said Korfiatis.

The airline’s colors – a distinct pallet of purple and lime green – was on full display at the delivery event, along with members of the cabin crew, which gave guests a tour of the unique features onboard.

Powered by CFM engines, the fleet of Airbus A320s has a single-class layout consisting of 186 18” wide economy class seats, featuring the latest Recaro seats equipped with USB power outlets and personal device holders for smart phones and tablets.

“We are extremely proud to be part of the flyadeal’s official operational launch,” said Fouad Attar, Head of Commercial for Airbus Africa and Middle East.

The aircraft departed the Airbus’ Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg, Germany late evening on 23 August and landed in Jeddah the following morning.