Saudi low-cost airline flyadeal has confirmed key cabin design and supplier partnerships for its first widebody aircraft, the Airbus A330-900neo, marking a significant step toward its planned long-haul operations.

The airline will introduce a two-class configuration across its fleet of 10 A330neos, featuring 406 Economy Class seats alongside 14 Premium Economy seats. Entry into service is expected in 2027, with deliveries beginning in the summer of that year.

The cabins are designed with long-haul travel in mind, incorporating ergonomic reclining seats, enhanced back support, adjustable headrests, USB Type-C charging ports, and ambient lighting intended to improve passenger comfort.

For the Premium Economy section, Italian manufacturer Geven will supply its Comoda AQ seats. Arranged in a 2-3-2 layout across two rows, the seats offer a 38-inch pitch and up to 8 inches of recline, aimed at increasing personal space and comfort on medium- to long-haul routes.

Economy Class seating will be provided by Chinese firm Jiatai, marking its debut in the Middle East market. The cabin will feature a 3-3-3 configuration, with seat pitch reaching up to 30 inches, focusing on efficiency while maintaining passenger comfort.

With a flight range exceeding 11 hours, the A330neos are expected to serve routes connecting Saudi Arabia with destinations across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Executive Vice President of Strategy at Saudia Group and acting CEO of flyadeal, said the airline spent nearly a year finalising cabin specifications. He noted that considerations such as comfort, weight, durability, sustainability, and overall cabin atmosphere guided the selection process. Kapoor added that the airline aims to differentiate itself by entering the widebody segment while maintaining its low-cost model.

Geven’s Managing Director, Alberto Veneruso, described the partnership as a milestone, highlighting the introduction of the Comoda AQ seat to flyadeal’s passengers. Meanwhile, Jiatai Chairman Jingfeng Liu said the collaboration represents a key step in expanding the global footprint of Chinese aircraft seating manufacturers.

Additional suppliers have also been selected as part of the aircraft interior programme. France-based Safran Cabin will provide customised galleys designed to improve workspace efficiency for cabin crew. Swiss firm Lantal Textiles will supply carpets and curtains, extending its existing partnership with the airline.

The announcements were made during the Aircraft Interiors Expo held in Hamburg, a major industry event focused on cabin innovation.

flyadeal has rapidly expanded since its launch, currently operating 46 Airbus A320 family aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam, serving more than 40 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, the airline aims to grow its fleet and network to over 100 aircraft and destinations by the end of the decade.

Source: ZAWYA

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA