Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal plans UK services

Saudi low-cost airline flyadeal is preparing to serve the UK from 2027 after the carrier ordered its first batch of widebody aircraft.

 

The airline, whose parent is Saudia Group, has placed an order for 10 Airbus A330neo aircraft and has the option to buy a further 10.

 

Chief executive Steven Greenway said the new aircraft would enable the carrier to serve the UK in two years’ time, adding that talks were ongoing with airports.

 

“The A330s allow us to operate to the UK unfettered,” he said. “They will open up the UK market for us.”

 

The existing 38-strong fleet is composed entirely of narrowbody models, namely 27 A320neos and 11 A320ceos, which serve about 30 destinations from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

 

Greenway said about 80% of current capacity is domestic, but the airline is aiming to reach an equal balance between domestic and international flights “in the next couple of years”.

 

It expects to achieve a fleet of 98 aircraft by 2030, with the bulk of the capacity growth coming from international flights. 

 

Outlining the airline’s plans for network growth, Greenway said the initial focus would be on operating to additional destinations in the Middle East, such as Syria, Bahrain, Doha and Abu Dhabi, before attention turns to southeast Europe and then the UK.

 

The airline has set its sights on operating from an airport in the London area, Greenway said, with Gatwick among those set to take part in discussions. Luton and Stansted are also being lined up as potential bases, Greenway added.

 

The trade is expected to play a significant role in flyadeal’s sales, with the airline set to appear on Amadeus and other global distribution system providers in the coming months.

 

The early focus would be on religious traffic, but the airline was aiming for an equal split between religious traffic and leisure travel within a short timeframe of operations beginning.

 

Saudi Arabia was “completely closed” to tourism until 2019, Greenway said, but the introduction of tourist visas has made access “easy”.

 

He said there was “still a long way to go” to boost visitor numbers from the UK, but he anticipated growing interest.

 

“I think a lot of it’s going to be word of mouth,” said Greenway. “We’re going to have to build it up over time and people will gain confidence that it’s worthwhile coming. There’s a lot to see and do.”

 

He revealed he was “not too concerned” about the competition posed by rival low-cost carrier Wizz Air, which will begin operating a service between Gatwick and Medina in August.

 

“I would classify Wizz Air’s network planning as throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks,” he said, arguing flyadeal was more committed to a long-term approach.

 

“I just don’t see Wizz Air as a practical challenge,” he said, adding: “I think our product and our on-time performance speaks for itself versus them.”

 

Before the planned start of scheduled services in 2027, UK travellers are likely to have the opportunity to fly with flyadeal in the second half of this year via charter flights.

 

The airline is wet-leasing several widebody aircraft and intends to offer charters from the UK for Hajj and Umrah.

 

“I don’t think you’ll be surprised to see a flyadeal aircraft operating to the UK in the second half of this year, albeit it’s wet-leased,” said Greenway.

He said the charters would allow the airline to “dip its toe” into the UK market in preparation for the scheduled flights.