For low-cost subsidiary, flyadeal
The Saudi Arabia-based Saudia Group has placed an order with Airbus for 10 of the European plane maker’s A330-900 aircraft for its low-cost subsidiary, flyadeal.
The deal represents flyadeal’s first acquisition of wide-body aircraft and signals a strategic leap forward for the Saudi airline as it prepares to launch long-haul operations. The move also supports the broader objective of maintaining one of the youngest and most efficient fleets among low-cost carriers in the Middle East.
Announced at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, the agreement was finalised in a signing ceremony attended by high-ranking officials from Saudia Group and Airbus. Among them were Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, Airbus CEO of Commercial Aircraft Christian Scherer, Saudia Group’s VP of Fleet Management Saleh Eid, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP of Sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
The widebody order comes less than a year after Saudia Group made headlines with its record-setting order for 105 Airbus aircraft in May 2024, which included 54 A321neos earmarked for flyadeal.
The latest purchase builds on that momentum and brings the group closer to achieving the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, a national development plan that aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a key global transportation hub.
Speaking at the signing event, Ibrahim Al-Omar said the new order reflects Saudia Group’s long-term growth ambitions and commitment to excellence in service delivery.
“This deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernise and expand our fleet. It builds on last year’s historic deal with Airbus for 105 aircraft. This step aligns with our national strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to connect 250 destinations and facilitate the travel of over 330 million and 150 million tourists by 2030.”
13,300 kilometres range
The Airbus A330-900, part of the A330neo family, is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and can fly up to 13,300 kilometres nonstop. With this capability, flyadeal can extend its reach far beyond its current network, which has been limited to short— and medium-haul destinations, operated by a fleet of 37 A320 Family aircraft. In comparison, Saudia currently operates 93 aircraft from both the A320 Family and A330 range.
Airbus’ EVP Sales, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, highlighted the strategic implications of the order: “Saudia Group’s A330neo order for flyadeal marks a key step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s aviation ambition to unlock long-haul markets and attract new customers. The A330neo’s versatility, new generation efficiency, and excellent passenger experience will support Saudia Group’s strategic growth and solidify their position as a global aviation leader.”
Designed with passenger comfort in mind, the A330neo features the state-of-the-art Airspace cabin, which includes spacious seating, enlarged overhead compartments, ambient lighting, and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity technology. These features align with flyadeal’s mission to offer a modern, high-quality travel experience at competitive prices.
Notably, the A330neo also supports Saudia Group’s sustainability goals. The aircraft can already operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Airbus targeting 100% SAF capability across its fleet by 2030. As environmental concerns grow across the aviation sector, this ability adds long-term value to the investment and supports Saudi Arabia’s broader green initiatives.
Globally, the A330 Family remains one of Airbus’ most successful widebody programmes. By the end of March 2025, the series had attracted more than 1,800 firm orders from over 130 customers worldwide. Its proven performance and adaptability have made it a popular choice for airlines seeking a balance between capacity, range, and operational efficiency.
Adding the A330-900 to flyadeal’s fleet will enable the airline to diversify its route portfolio and enhance its role in connecting Saudi Arabia to new international markets. This step is expected to increase competition in the long-haul low-cost segment, particularly in and out of the Middle East, where demand for affordable yet high-quality air travel continues to grow.
Image: (L-R) Fahd Al-Ruwaili, Saudi Ambassador to France; Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group; Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus; Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management and Agreements at Saudia Group; and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. Credit: Saudi Group/Airbus
