Saudi carrier flyadeal expects 20–25% capacity growth on fleet expansion

The company’s historic expansion is set to begin in 2027, with a new aircraft delivery scheduled each month until 2029 to reach the planned fleet size. Supplied
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Updated 14 December 2025
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Saudi carrier flyadeal expects 20–25% capacity growth on fleet expansion

RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal expects its capacity to grow by 20 to 25 percent next year as it expands its fleet, aiming for an “operational leap” with a total of 98 aircraft, CEO Steven Greenway told Al-Eqtisadiah. 

The company’s historic expansion is set to begin in 2027, with a new aircraft delivery scheduled each month until 2029 to reach the planned fleet size. 

The airline carried 11 million passengers this year, with projections of 12 to 13 million passengers next year as the expansion takes effect. 

It reported a 35 percent year-on-year increase in capacity this December, according to Greenway. The growth plan includes the addition of new aircraft types, notably the wide-body A330neo, which can carry 420 passengers. 

International route restructuring 

The wide-body aircraft, joining flyadeal’s fleet for the first time, will be capable of connecting Saudi airports on long-haul routes spanning from Western Europe to Southeast Asia. 

This will allow the airline to significantly expand its international network and develop a transcontinental operational structure to meet rising demand for travel to and from the Kingdom. 

In line with this, flyadeal plans to restructure its operations over the next two years to achieve a balanced mix of domestic and international flights. 

This mix represents a significant shift from the current operational structure, which relies on an 80 percent domestic and 20 percent international flight model. Greenway said the new structure shows a clear vision to support Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism openness and strengthen the Kingdom’s global connectivity. 

44th aircraft arrives by year-end 

The airline closed last year with a fleet of 36 aircraft, adding eight more this year. By the end of 2025, flyadeal will have 44 aircraft, with one final delivery expected next week, Greenway said. 

The short-term plan includes adding four new aircraft next year, bringing the fleet to 48, comprising traditional A320s, fuel-efficient A320neos, and A321s with 240 seats. 

Saudi aviation market 

The Kingdom’s aviation sector recorded notable growth last year, with passenger numbers exceeding 128 million, a 15 percent year-on-year increase. 

The General Authority of Civil Aviation reported more than 905,000 flights, up 11 percent from 2024, while air connectivity grew 16 percent to over 170 destinations worldwide. 

Air cargo also posted exceptional growth, rising 34 percent to 1.2 million tonnes. The four main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah accounted for 82 percent of total air traffic last year. 


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.