• Al-Saqr (Falcon): Aircraft Named After The National Bird Of Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA – flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost airline, has taken delivery of its first new aircraft of 2026 – an Airbus A320neo – boosting the carrier’s fleet to 45 all-narrowbody passenger jets.

Arriving in Jeddah direct from Airbus’ assembly plant in Toulouse, the aircraft becomes the airline’s 34th A320neo, adding to the 11 A320neo variant that make up flyadeal’s total fleet.

The delivery also marks a move away from the traditional naming of every aircraft after a constellation star. Named Al-Saqr (falcon) after the national bird of Saudi Arabia, it heralds the beginning of flyadeal’s new narrowbodies proudly adorning the names of different birds in the Kingdom. The falcon represents strength, courage, freedom and pride, deeply embedded in Saudi culture, reflecting the qualities so ingrained in the values of flyadeal.

Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “It’s always a good feeling celebrating a first. Our latest aircraft is the start of flyadeal’s push towards the half-century fleet mark, a significant milestone for such a young airline. As more aircraft are delivered to flyadeal this year, we’re able to increase frequencies on existing routes and deploy on new ones to keep up our growth momentum.”

Captain Abdulaziz Bahri, flyadeal Chief Operating Officer, added: “Being an all-A320 operator, flyadeal has shown confidence in this wonderful aircraft that supports our flying requirements domestically, regionally and beyond with low cost and fuel efficiency, fulfilling our key operational needs. Just six months ago, we took delivery of our 40th aircraft. We’re now up to 45 and continue to hire more pilots, including those joining through the government-backed graduate cadet training programme that we began participating in last year.” 

Hazar Hafiz, flyadeal Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, explained: “Saudi Arabia is home to more than 500 bird species on one of the world’s most important migration routes, with millions of birds crossing the Kingdom every year. Birds naturally represent movement, travel, and freedom—values that strongly align with our brand. By associating ourselves with this rich and authentic narrative, flyadeal creates a deeper emotional link with our customers.”

Featuring a spacious cabin of 186 all-Economy Class seats in a 3 – 3 configuration, flyadeal’s A320s have interiors of the highest standards and specifications for a low-cost airline. These include leather seats with a custom diamond stitch pattern and embossed logo together with sizeable overhead bins.

flyadeal has rapidly developed into the Middle East’s fastest growing airline operating its young fleet from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah and Dammam to more than 30 seasonal and year-round destinations across Saudi Arabia, and in the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to triple its network to over 100 destinations and more than double its fleet to 100 aircraft.

About flyadeal

On 23 September 2017, National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, flyadeal began operations with its historic maiden flight from Jeddah to Riyadh. A pioneer and innovator, flyadeal was the first regional low-cost airline to be launched only across digital distribution channels. Being the sister airline of full-service national carrier Saudia — both under the umbrella ownership of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation (Saudia Group) — flyadeal was created for the price-conscious and tech-savvy consumer in mind in a country where 80 per cent of the Saudi population is aged less than 40 years and has at least two mobile phones.

flyadeal aims to stimulate travel, tourism and trade with its affordable, value for money everyday fares catering to leisure, religious, family and business travellers. Simplicity is key with an all-Economy Class cabin across flyadeal’s narrowbody fleet. As the Kingdom undergoes dramatic transformation through its Vision 2030 economic diversification drive, aviation and tourism are among the many sectors earmarked for dynamic growth. flyadeal is the fastest growing airline in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Middle East, recognised for excellence in on-time performance that is consistently above the global industry average.

Since its inaugural flight in 2017, flyadeal has carried over 45 million passengers. And in a significant 2025 milestone, flyadeal flew more than 10 million passengers for the first time in a calendar year. In May 2024, flyadeal placed its biggest ever order – 51 aircraft comprising 12 A320neos and 39 larger A321neos – with a delivery schedule beginning in 2027. In addition, flyadeal will operate long-haul scheduled services from 2027 with the phased induction of 10 Airbus A330neo widebody aircraft ordered by Saudia Group in April 2025.

flyadeal’s aggressive expansion drive makes the rapidly growing airline one of the country’s most desirable companies to work for.

For more information, please contact:
Updesh Kapur
Corporate Communications Department
Email: updesh.kapur@flyadeal.com
www.flyadeal.com