Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal has expanded operations from Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, adding five new routes. The airline introduced flights to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport and four domestic destinations: Abha, Al Hofuf, Jazan, and Tabuk.
The additions increase flyadeal’s destinations from Madinah from three to eight and boost weekly flights by 40%, totalling 88. Two aircraft are now permanently based at the airport, which becomes the airline’s fourth operational hub alongside Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
The expansion supports growing demand and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030.
Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’ve steadily built capacity from Madinah, but this expansion of five new routes at the beginning of the year is a statement of intent from flyadeal to develop Madinah into one of our key operational bases.
“Having aircraft positioned in Madinah gives us the flexibility to quickly upgrade with more frequencies or add routes to a schedule which will continue to be built up giving our customers more choices and convenience of direct flights to travel within the Kingdom and beyond. Madinah was a natural addition as a base given its prominence as the second holiest city in the Islamic world and key gateway for pilgrims.”
The expanded schedule supplements flyadeal’s dedicated year-round Umrah flights from several countries direct to Madinah, north of the Saudi port city of Jeddah.
Rogier van Enk, flyadeal Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, said: “The additional routes aim to cater to both outbound travel for holidaymakers and business travellers living and working in and around Madinah, while also attracting inbound pilgrimages. My commercial team and I look forward to continue working with the authorities at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport to explore more opportunities building air travel connectivity in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”