Flyadeal CEO Sees Potential In Syrian Market

Saudi Arabian LCC flyadeal has become the latest carrier to announce flights to Damascus as the LCC’s CEO is determined to enhance connectivity for Syrians.

Flyadeal will add three flights a week from Jeddah to Damascus starting Oct. 1, followed by the launch of four services each week from Riyadh starting Oct. 2.

“[It has] not been easy to secure services with still many impediments to getting access to Syria. But it is essential for the market to open up,” flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway told Aviation Week Aug. 27. “There are two million Syrians in KSA [kingdom of Saudi Arabia] alone who want or need access, and we are determined to serve them.”

The launch follows the recent lifting of western sanctions on a country impacted by years of civil war.

Flyadeal joins many airlines planning to restore air access to and from Syria. According to data from CAPA, during the week commencing Aug. 25, 30,677 seats will be offered from Damascus on routes to the Middle East and 4,191 seats to Eastern and Central Europe.

CAPA data shows 14 airlines are currently serving Damascus International Airport, including Air Arabia, Air Mediterranean, AJet, Dan Air, Emirates, Fly Cham, flydubai, flynas, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Safe Air Company, Syrian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

Flyadeal currently operates domestic and international flights from its three bases in Saudi Arabia, including Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh to over 30 year-round and seasonal destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The Jeddah-based LCC operates a fleet of 40 Airbus A320ceo/neos, each configured with 186 all-economy class seats.

By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to triple its network to over 100 destinations with more than 100 aircraft.