Flyadeal Opens Expanded Operations Control Center In Jeddah

Saudi LCC flyadeal has opened a new, expanded Integrated Operations Control Center (IOCC) at its headquarters in Jeddah, strengthening its operational capabilities as the airline continues its rapid growth.

The airline announced the opening on Dec. 17, saying the standalone facility is four times larger than its previous control center.

The IOCC oversees flight dispatch and monitoring, crew coordination, aircraft maintenance planning and disruption management, with a focus on safety and on-time performance.

Flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway described the control center as the “heartbeat” of the airline’s operations.

“Not often talked about, the IOCC ensures schedules are maintained in coordination with airports across our network for what is a complex and disciplined process involving the management, tracking and resourcing of flights 24/7,” Greenway said.

He added that flyadeal’s recent operational scale, combined with its future expansion plans, made the investment in an upgraded facility essential.

Founded by Saudia Group in 2016, flyadeal operates up to 250 flights a day from its bases in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh, serving more than 30 domestic and international destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

From Jan. 1, 2026, Madinah is set to become the airline’s fourth operational base in Saudi Arabia.

The carrier has recorded strong passenger growth in recent years, with numbers increasing 15% last year to 7.9 million. This momentum continued into the current year, with passenger traffic rising a further 25% in the first half.

Flyadeal operates a fleet of 43 Airbus A320-family aircraft and expects both its network and fleet to surpass 100 cities and aircraft, respectively, by 2030.