New Routes of the Day (23 November 2022): flyadeal from Jeddah / Riyadh to Istanbul IST
flyadeal (IATA code F3) has landed in Istanbul IST becoming the Turkish hub’s 82nd airline. There are now 4-weekly flights from both Jeddah and Riyadh using the Saudi LCC’s A320s. Both routes will be served on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
According to Cirium schedules data, direct competition on the Jeddah-Istanbul IST route comes from SAUDIA and Turkish Airlines who both offer 3-daily service. In addition, Pegasus Airlines (daily), Turkish Airlines (6-weekly) and flynas (5-weekly) connect Jeddah non-stop with Istanbul SAW.
Similarly, direct competition on the Riyadh-Istanbul IST route is provided by SAUDIA (daily) and Turkish Airlines (2-daily). Again, flynas (daily), Pegasus Airlines (daily) and Turkish Airlines (5-weekly) connect Riyadh non-stop with Istanbul SAW.
Over five years of domestic operations
A subsidiary of flag-carrier SAUDIA, flyadeal started serving customers in September 2017. Initially focussed on domestic flights, international scheduled services began in July 2021 to Dubai, with a Kuwait City connection beginning before the end of the year. Since then, its international network has grown to include Amman, Baku, Cairo, Khartoum, Sharm El-Sheikh and Tbilisi.
According to planespotters.net, the airline’s fleet currently comprises 23 active aircraft, a mix of A320-200s and A320neos all configured with 186 seats.