Flyadeal Confirms Order for 10 Airbus A330neo Jets in Long-Haul Expansion Push

Saudi Arabia’s budget airline flyadeal has confirmed a deal to purchase 10 Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft as it sets its sights on expanding into fast-growing long-haul markets in Southeast Asia. The announcement was made during a ceremony at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse on Wednesday.

The agreement, which includes options to buy 10 additional A330-900 jets, marks a significant milestone for the low-cost carrier as it broadens its operational scope beyond domestic and regional routes. The new aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce engines, will enable flyadeal to increase passenger capacity and venture into more competitive markets.

The order had been previously listed by Airbus under an undisclosed customer. Industry estimates from UK-based consultancy Cirium Ascend value the deal at approximately $1.2 billion after standard industry discounts.

Flyadeal, a sister airline to the state-owned national carrier Saudia, is a key player in Saudi Arabia’s aviation expansion under Vision 2030—a government-led initiative to diversify the economy and strengthen the private sector. The move into long-haul markets is part of the airline’s broader ambition to operate a fleet of 100 aircraft by the end of the decade.

Although the airline has not officially revealed its new routes, CEO Steven Greenway indicated that destinations in Southeast Asia are the primary targets. “I can pretty well guarantee that it’s going to be Southeast Asia – Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia or the Philippines,” he told Reuters.

Flyadeal’s new A330neos will be configured with high-density seating and include some premium economy options to meet rising demand in regional hubs such as Dubai and Manila. The aircraft can carry more than 400 passengers in layouts commonly used by regional competitors like Lion Air and Cebu Pacific.

Greenway, formerly of Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary Scoot, said the airline also considered Boeing’s 787-9 and Saudia’s Boeing 777s. However, factors such as seat capacity, delivery schedules, and operational efficiency led to the selection of the Airbus model. Deliveries of the A330neo jets are set to begin in July 2027.

Despite global trade tensions affecting parts of the aviation sector, Greenway noted that flyadeal remains largely unaffected due to its strong domestic focus and favorable market conditions in the Middle East. “At the moment, things are steaming ahead,” he said. “I’m expecting summer to be robust.”

With this strategic order, flyadeal positions itself among a new wave of low-cost carriers entering the long-haul market, aiming to meet increasing demand while supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic transformation.