The aviation industry in Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid expansion, with the goal of having 330 million passengers pass through its airports annually by 2030. In order to achieve this, the country is focusing on growing its airline sector at an unprecedented rate, including the rise of low-cost carriers. Flyadeal, the budget subsidiary of Saudia, has become one of the largest low-cost operators in the country since its launch in 2017. The airline is set to triple in size by the end of the decade, with plans to add dozens of new destinations to its route map, including international links to Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
Newly appointed flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway, who has experience working at low-cost airlines in Singapore and Canada, is tasked with turning the ambitious growth plans into reality. Despite the vast opportunities for growth, there are challenges associated with adding significant capacity to a developing market within a short timeframe. Nonetheless, Greenway remains optimistic about the prospects for flyadeal and the aviation industry in Saudi Arabia.
The airline’s growth plans include expanding its fleet to nearly 100 aircraft within the next four to five years. This will involve a mix of Airbus A320s and A321s to meet the increasing demand for domestic and international flights. Greenway emphasizes that flyadeal’s focus will remain on providing a quality low-cost travel experience for passengers, with investments in seat upgrades, overhead bins, and in-seat power.
With the Saudi economy opening up and experiencing rapid growth, there is a significant increase in both domestic and international travel demand. Saudi citizens are exploring their own country and traveling abroad, while international tourists are also increasingly visiting Saudi Arabia. This growth in the tourism sector, combined with expanding pilgrimage traffic, is fueling the demand for low-cost air travel in the region.
Flyadeal’s future plans include operating to over 100 destinations by 2030, with a focus on expanding both domestically within Saudi Arabia and internationally. Key markets of interest for the airline include India, the Middle East, and southern and southeast Europe. While other low-cost carriers have opened foreign subsidiaries, flyadeal is primarily focused on serving the Saudi market and does not currently have plans to expand into other markets.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is becoming increasingly important. AI can provide valuable insights and support decision-making processes across various aspects of airline operations, from call centers to network planning. Looking ahead, the growth and development of the aviation industry in Saudi Arabia will be a key trend to watch in the coming years, as the country continues to shape its ambitions and take steps towards becoming a major player in the global aviation market.
