Saudi Arabia’s Flyadeal Joins IATA, Boosting Kingdom’s Aviation Growth
Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, flyadeal, becomes a member of the International Air Transport Association, marking a significant milestone in its expansion and the Kingdom’s aviation sector.
Flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, has officially joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a move that underscores its growing role in both regional and global aviation markets.
The announcement was made on January 29, 2025, during a visit by an IATA delegation, led by Kamil Al-Awadhi, the regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, to the airline’s headquarters in Jeddah.
This development follows flyadeal’s achievement in November 2024, when it earned the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, the highest safety standard in the airline industry.
This certification evaluates the airline's operational safety, covering critical areas including aircraft engineering, maintenance, flight operations, cabin services, ground handling, cargo, and security.
The move to join IATA aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader ambitions for its aviation sector, as part of the Vision 2030 initiative.
The Kingdom has made substantial investments in diversifying its economy, which includes expanding its aviation infrastructure and enhancing global connectivity.
The country’s goal is to accommodate 330 million passengers by 2030, serve over 250 destinations, and handle 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo.
Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, expressed pride in joining IATA, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to operational safety since its founding in 2017. Greenway highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that joining IATA is a natural next step for the airline, which has grown rapidly in the past few years.
He also acknowledged the company’s new position alongside Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, which has been a longstanding IATA member.
IATA’s Kamil Al-Awadhi praised flyadeal’s inclusion in the association, pointing out that it highlights Saudi Arabia’s continued progress in building a world-class aviation industry.
Al-Awadhi also reaffirmed IATA’s support for the Kingdom’s ambitious vision for the aviation sector and its efforts to foster sustainable growth and connectivity.
Flyadeal currently operates from major hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, offering nearly 30 year-round and seasonal destinations within Saudi Arabia, as well as select cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
The airline’s fleet consists of 36 Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flyadeal is also preparing for the upcoming Hajj season, planning to carry over 75,000 pilgrims on dedicated international charters.
Looking ahead, flyadeal aims to significantly expand its international network within the next 12 months as part of a major growth initiative, further solidifying its place in the global aviation market.
The announcement was made on January 29, 2025, during a visit by an IATA delegation, led by Kamil Al-Awadhi, the regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, to the airline’s headquarters in Jeddah.
This development follows flyadeal’s achievement in November 2024, when it earned the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, the highest safety standard in the airline industry.
This certification evaluates the airline's operational safety, covering critical areas including aircraft engineering, maintenance, flight operations, cabin services, ground handling, cargo, and security.
The move to join IATA aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader ambitions for its aviation sector, as part of the Vision 2030 initiative.
The Kingdom has made substantial investments in diversifying its economy, which includes expanding its aviation infrastructure and enhancing global connectivity.
The country’s goal is to accommodate 330 million passengers by 2030, serve over 250 destinations, and handle 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo.
Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, expressed pride in joining IATA, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to operational safety since its founding in 2017. Greenway highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that joining IATA is a natural next step for the airline, which has grown rapidly in the past few years.
He also acknowledged the company’s new position alongside Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, which has been a longstanding IATA member.
IATA’s Kamil Al-Awadhi praised flyadeal’s inclusion in the association, pointing out that it highlights Saudi Arabia’s continued progress in building a world-class aviation industry.
Al-Awadhi also reaffirmed IATA’s support for the Kingdom’s ambitious vision for the aviation sector and its efforts to foster sustainable growth and connectivity.
Flyadeal currently operates from major hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, offering nearly 30 year-round and seasonal destinations within Saudi Arabia, as well as select cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
The airline’s fleet consists of 36 Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flyadeal is also preparing for the upcoming Hajj season, planning to carry over 75,000 pilgrims on dedicated international charters.
Looking ahead, flyadeal aims to significantly expand its international network within the next 12 months as part of a major growth initiative, further solidifying its place in the global aviation market.
