Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost airline flyadeal ended 2025 on a record-setting high, closing out a year marked by unprecedented expansion, operational excellence, and milestone achievements across its network.

The carrier transported 10.7 million passengers—a 33% increase year-on-year—crossing the 10-million threshold for the first time in its history. This growth was achieved despite a comparatively modest 21% rise in seat capacity, underscoring strong market demand and efficient utilization.

Network expansion was equally robust: flyadeal added 66% more routes than in 2024, fueled by new aircraft deliveries, intensified international operations, and its largest-ever Hajj and Umrah pilgrim transport campaign. The airline’s scheduled and seasonal destinations rose by 50%, spanning markets across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and South Asia.

The number of pilgrims ferried to the Kingdom more than doubled to 220,000, reflecting flyadeal’s growing role in facilitating global religious travel. To support its increasing scale, the airline opened a new Operations Control Centre in Jeddah—four times the size of the previous facility—and announced Madinah as its fourth operational base within Saudi Arabia.

In a string of industry firsts, flyadeal became the first Saudi airline to wet-lease aircraft both into and out of the Kingdom, and an early mover regionally by training its cabin crew as accredited tour guides.

The carrier also widened its commercial footprint by joining the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and signing its first Global Distribution System (GDS) agreement with Amadeus, making its inventory more accessible to travel agents worldwide. It furthermore launched its first loyalty partnership with AlFursan, Saudia’s rewards programme, enabling customers to earn and redeem miles across both airlines.

Complementing its growth story, flyadeal maintained its reputation for reliability—posting an On-Time Performance (OTP) rate of nearly 90% throughout 2025, making it the most punctual low-cost airline in the Middle East and North Africa. In June 2025, the carrier was named the world’s most punctual airline—across both budget and full-service categories—achieving 91.77% on-time performance, according to Cirium data.

Executives highlight resilience, vision, and performance
CEO Steven Greenway described 2025 as a “landmark year,” crediting success to strategic foresight, teamwork, and swift adaptation to new opportunities.

“We expanded our footprint aggressively—launching new routes in Pakistan and Syria, boosting our Egyptian operations, and setting a new record for inbound pilgrim traffic,” said Greenway. “Our people’s dedication and agility made this possible, and 2026 promises even more exciting developments.”

COO Captain Abdulaziz Bahri reflected on operational achievements supported by 16 additional aircraft—including eight wet-leased jets that played a key role in managing global Hajj and Umrah flights.

“It was likely the most successful year in our history, both operationally and in punctuality,” he said.

CFO Abdulrahman Ajabnoor detailed the airline’s strategic leap into long-haul operations, including an order for 10 new Airbus A330 widebodies.

“With strong backing from the Saudia Group, we’re investing sensibly for the future while keeping operational costs low to deliver affordable fares,” he emphasized.

Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Rogier van Enk highlighted flyadeal’s expanded fare options and service upgrades, remarking that the airline’s broad network now connects “more cities, more often,” while enhancing the passenger experience.

CIO Mohannad AlSalmi credited the airline’s in-house technology team for its transformative role.

“Building internal tech capabilities allowed us to roll out essential projects that boosted efficiency and ensured smooth operations 24/7,” he said.

Chief People Officer Mohammed Mudhish celebrated workforce growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030, noting the company’s 1,800-strong team and its new cadet pilot and student internship programmes that foster Saudi talent.

Chief Audit, Risk and Compliance Officer Yasir Malak remarked that 2025 “tested the company’s resilience,” but also reinforced its governance and operational discipline.

2025 at a glance

• 10.7 million passengers carried (+33%), surpassing 10 million for the first time.

• Seat capacity up 21%.

• 159 routes operated (+66%) from multiple Saudi bases.

• 43 destinations served year-round and seasonally (+50%).

• Fleet expanded to 44 Airbus A320s plus eight wet-leased aircraft.

• 220,000 Hajj and Umrah passengers carried (+107%).

• Widebody fleet order: 10 Airbus A330s.

• Expansion into South Asia via five routes to Pakistan and debut services to Damascus.

• Named most punctual airline in MENA and world’s No. 1 in June 2025 (Cirium).

• Opened new Jeddah Operations Control Centre.

• Launched loyalty, training, and talent programmes aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.