Flyadeal to Squeeze More Flying From its Fleet to Fuel Expansion

Flyadeal Gears Up for Aggressive Expansion in 2026

Flyadeal, the Saudi low-cost airline that's been turning heads in the region, is set to push its fleet harder than ever to fuel a wave of growth.

As a subsidiary of the national carrier Saudia, the Jeddah-based airline has already built a reputation for affordable travel across domestic routes. Now, it's eyeing a bigger slice of the sky with plans to boost operational capacity by 20 to 25 percent next year. This comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is doubling down on its Vision 2030 ambitions to become a global tourism and business hub. By squeezing more flying hours from its existing aircraft, flyadeal aims to launch multiple new routes without waiting for its full fleet expansion to materialize.

New Routes and Network Growth Take Center Stage

The strategy involves optimizing schedules, increasing flight frequencies, and targeting high-demand periods like pilgrimage seasons. This approach not only cuts costs but also meets surging passenger needs in a competitive market. Kicking off 2026 with flair, flyadeal announced five fresh routes to broaden its reach. These include an international hop to Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport, alongside domestic links to Abha, Al Hofuf, Jazan, and Tabuk.

In Madinah, a key focus area, weekly flights will jump 40 percent to 88, transforming the city from a three-destination hub into an eight-destination powerhouse. This move caters to both leisure seekers and business travelers, making the holy city more accessible. Beyond that, the airline is venturing into India early next year, starting with Mumbai and potentially serving up to six cities by year's end.

Hubs in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam will anchor these operations, with special packages for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Partnerships with Indian carriers could simplify multi-city itineraries, blending leisure, religious, and business travel seamlessly.

Fleet Optimization Powers Long-Term Ambitions

said a flyadeal executive, highlighting the airline's bold vision. At the heart of this expansion is a smart play on fleet efficiency. Flyadeal's current lineup of over 40 Airbus A320 family planes – mostly young A320neos – is one of the region's most modern. By the end of 2025, that number climbs to 46, with wide-body Airbus A330-900neos arriving from mid-2027 for longer hauls.

We're committed to growth, growth, growth – from 41 aircraft today to over 100 in the coming years, enabling us to connect Saudi Arabia to the world like never before,

These jets will open doors to flights up to 13 hours away, reaching Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Western Europe. To maximize every plane's potential, the airline is tweaking operations: denser schedules, seasonal wet-leases for peak demand, and even niche services like sports charters. Inflight connectivity is next on the agenda, with high-speed options evaluated for both passengers and backend efficiency.

This isn't just about adding planes; it's about making each one work smarter. Flyadeal plans to hit over 100 aircraft by 2030 and serve more than 100 destinations in five years. Such moves align perfectly with national goals, positioning Saudi Arabia as an aviation powerhouse.

Investments in better food, drinks, and connectivity will elevate the low-cost experience, drawing more passengers amid rising competition. In wrapping up, flyadeal's push to extract maximum value from its fleet underscores a savvy path to rapid expansion. New routes to Istanbul, India, and domestic spots, coupled with capacity hikes and long-haul prep, signal exciting times ahead for travelers and the Saudi aviation scene.