Flyadeal Cleared for Takeoff: Saudi Budget Airline to Launch India Flights in Early 2026

In a strategic move to expand its international footprint, flyadeal—Saudi Arabia’s budget airline and a sister company of Saudia Airlines—will commence flights to India starting Q1 2026. CEO Steven Greenway confirmed the development, highlighting India’s “hyper-competitive” aviation landscape and the need for a “brutal focus on unit cost” to succeed.

The airline plans to begin with routes connecting Jeddah to Mumbai, followed by Delhi and other key Indian cities. Flyadeal currently operates 42 Airbus A320 aircraft and expects to grow its fleet to 46 by year-end. It has also placed orders for 10 wide-body A330 Neos, expected to arrive from mid-2027.

Key highlights:

• Flyadeal to launch India operations in Q1 2026
• Initial routes include Jeddah–Mumbai, with Delhi and others to follow
• CEO emphasizes cost-efficiency in India’s competitive market
• Fleet expansion underway with 10 A330 Neos ordered
• Exploring potential codeshare with Indian carriers

Sources: Outlook Business, TravelBiz Monitor, Simple Flying.