Saudi Budget Airline flyadeal Expands with 10 Airbus A330neo Order, and More

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Saudi Budget Airline flyadeal Expands with 10 Airbus A330neo Order

Saudi Arabia's low-cost carrier flyadeal is finalizing a deal to purchase 10 Airbus A330neo wide-body jets, marking its first major expansion into long-haul operations.

This development comes after months of deliberation between choosing Airbus A330neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner options.

Key Points

• The airline currently operates 36 Airbus A320s, including 25 neos, and plans to grow to 88 aircraft in four years

• flyadeal plans to introduce premium economy seating on these new wide-body aircraft for flights over 4-5 hours

• The carrier is targeting routes to Western Europe and Southeast Asia, focusing on pilgrim traffic and labor movement

• The airline will operate up to 8 wet-leased wide-body aircraft starting January 2025 before transitioning to its own fleet

• The company expects to launch at least 25 new routes in 2025

What It Means

This order represents a strategic shift for flyadeal, transforming it from a purely narrow-body operator to a long-haul carrier.

The decision aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader aviation expansion plans and Vision 2030 goals.

The addition of premium economy seating indicates a hybrid business model targeting both budget-conscious travelers and those seeking more comfort on longer routes.

Did You Read?

• Delta Air Lines Outlook 2025

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Southwest Airlines freezes hiring and internships to reduce costs

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The airline is also suspending its long-standing employee rallies.

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Southwest's profitability has been impacted by Boeing's delivery delays, labor costs, and competition.

Austrian Airlines debuts AeroSHARK technology on Boeing 777-200ER

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Austrian Airlines plans to retrofit four additional 777-200ERs with this technology by March 2025, achieving projected savings of 2,650 tons of fuel and 8,300 tons of CO2 emissions.

Japan's aircraft interior leader Jamco sold to Bain Capital in $634M deal

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Jamco specializes in producing galleys, lavatories, and other cabin components, holding a strong market presence globally.

Jamco has a history of innovation and partnerships with major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Bain’s portfolio while supporting Jamco’s growth in the competitive aircraft interior market.

Joby Aviation CEO says air taxis are close to commercial launch

Joby Aviation CEO JoeBen Bevirt has stated that the company’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis are nearing readiness for commercial service, targeting a 2025 launch.

These aircraft, designed to reduce urban congestion, can travel up to 200 mph with a range of 100 miles. Joby is advancing through FAA certification, having entered the final phase of certification.

Partnerships with Delta Air Lines and others aim to integrate air taxis into urban transit systems, enabling faster airport commutes.

While initial costs may exceed traditional taxis, prices are expected to decrease over time as the service scales.

Bridger Aerospace wins $20M federal contract for aerial firefighting

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The 120-day Exclusive Use contract highlights Bridger's advanced sensor, mapping, and surveillance technologies.

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Chinese airlines deploy COMAC C919 jets for Spring Festival travel demand

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The C919, developed by COMAC, is China’s first homegrown trunk jetliner designed to international standards.

With a fleet of 10 C919s, China Eastern plans to operate 124,000 flights during the travel season, offering nearly 21 million seats. The C919 has already served over 1 million passengers since its commercial debut in May 2023.

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NASA-funded drones streamline pre-flight checks for commercial airliners

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Abelo expands fleet with new ATR 42-600 and 72-600 aircraft orders

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Global Airlines completes A380 engine tests ahead of 2025 launch

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