Saudia and flyadeal Increase Flights to Abha; Group Reports Positive H1 Numbers

Dark/Light Mode (15/07/24)  Saudia and flyadeal, the flag carrier's Jeddah-based low-cost subsidiary, has launched eight new daily flights from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam to Abha.

Saudia has increased the number of daily flights to Abha from 14 to 19, an increase of 35.71% growth, whilst  flyadeal has expanded daily operations from 14 to 17 flights, a 21.42% increase.

The expansion comes after the group reported positive growth in operational performance for the first half of 2024.

The airline carried 16.3 million travellers on both domestic and international routes, an increase of 19% compared to the same period in 2023.

Saudia Boeing 787-9 reg: HZ-AR12. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The growth was supported by the operation of over 94,300 flights, including scheduled and additional services, representing an 11% increase.

Additionally, Saudia recorded 287,200 flight hours, a growth of 11% compared to last year, whilst maintaining an on-time performance rate of 89.3%.

In international operations, Saudia transported over 9.1 million passengers, reflecting a 24% increase on the previous year. The carrier conducted 42,000 flights, marking a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The airline’s international fleet logged 199,000 flight hours, marking a 12% growth.

Domestically, Saudia served more than 7.2 million passengers, a 14% increase, with over 52,300 flights operated, a rise of 10%. Domestic flight hours grew by 9%, reaching 88,000 hours.

“In the first half of 2024, we successfully executed both our Summer and Hajj season plans. I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all Saudia employees for their unwavering dedication, operational excellence, and exemplary on-time performance, which have greatly contributed to increased guest satisfaction,” said H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group.

Saudia currently has a fleet of 144 aircraft, and has already signed two major agreements with Boeing and Airbus for the acquisition of 103 new aircraft over the coming years.

See also: Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program - HD Video Interview with Rashed Alshammari, Vice President Commercial.

Latest exclusive video interviews: Future of Air Travel - Interview with Sumesh Patel, President of SITA Asia Pacific; Miss International Queen 2024 (MIQ 2024) - Interview with Alisa Phanthusak, MD, Tiffany's Show Pattaya, Thailand; 16 HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark; 9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia; Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman; 9 Exclusive Video Interviews from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England; 5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France; and 15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye.