Flyadeal launches direct Dhaka–Jeddah flights
Staff Reporter :
Saudi Arabia’s budget airline Flyadeal has officially begun its operations in Bangladesh, launching direct flights between Dhaka and Jeddah at affordable fares — a move expected to make air travel to Saudi Arabia cheaper and more competitive.
The airline’s inaugural flight took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at noon on Wednesday, marking the beginning of its scheduled service on the busy Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia route.
The formal inauguration ceremony was held at the airport, with Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), attending as the chief guest. Senior officials from CAAB and Flyadeal’s local partners were also present at the event.
A subsidiary of Saudia, Flyadeal is among the fastest-growing low-cost carriers in the Middle East. Despite its budget model, the airline has announced that passengers will enjoy complimentary meals and baggage allowance — a rare offering in the low-cost aviation sector.
According to Flyadeal, the new service aims to reduce travel expenses for Bangladeshi expatriate workers and pilgrims while strengthening connectivity between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
The addition of another Saudi carrier is also expected to increase competition on a route currently dominated by Saudia and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Initially, Flyadeal will operate two weekly flights between Dhaka and Jeddah. Flight F3-9112 will depart Jeddah at 1:30 a.m. (local time) for Dhaka, while the return flight F3-9113 will leave Dhaka at 1:00 p.m. for Jeddah.
Industry observers say Flyadeal’s entry into the Bangladesh market comes amid rising demand for affordable air travel options for millions of Bangladeshi workers and pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia each year.