flyadeal

flyadeal maintains a generally good safety record with a notable incident that was external in nature. The airline adheres to both national and international aviation safety standards.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: The most significant incident reported involved a flyadeal Airbus A320 (registered HZ-FAB) that sustained damage in a Houthi drone attack at Abha International Airport on February 10, 2021. There were no reported injuries or fatalities, and the aircraft was subsequently repaired and returned to service. No other major accidents or incidents involving operational safety failures by the airline have been widely reported.
• Regulatory Certifications: flyadeal successfully achieved the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification in November 2024. This certification is recognized as the aviation industry's highest safety accreditation and involves a comprehensive audit of all operational aspects, including flight operations, aircraft maintenance, cargo handling, and security. Obtaining IOSA certification was a prerequisite for flyadeal's official membership in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in January 2025. The airline also conforms to the strict regulatory standards set by Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and other international aviation authorities in countries where it operates. There is no information suggesting flyadeal is on the European Union's Air Safety List (banned airlines list).
• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: flyadeal operates a relatively modern fleet, primarily consisting of Airbus A320-family aircraft. With new aircraft deliveries planned until 2028 and the introduction of Airbus A330neo aircraft from 2027, the airline is committed to maintaining a young fleet. The rigorous IOSA certification process specifically evaluates an airline's aircraft engineering and maintenance programs and their compliance with safety regulations, indicating that flyadeal adheres to high standards in these areas. The airline's CEO has publicly stated that operational safety is their top priority, priding flyadeal on being a "safe, young and reliable airline".
• Overall Safety Assessment: Based on available data, flyadeal demonstrates a solid overall safety assessment. Its relatively young fleet, combined with its adherence to the stringent standards of the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and its recent attainment of the globally recognized IOSA certification, strongly suggests a commitment to high operational safety and maintenance practices. The single reported incident was an external attack, not a result of airline operational failure.
• Safety Awards or Recognitions: While flyadeal has received accolades such as "Fastest Growing Airline Brand" and "Best Low-Cost Airline Brand" in Saudi Arabia (2022 by Global Brands Magazine) and "Best Emerging Airline" (2018 by CAPA), these are not specific safety awards. The IOSA certification itself serves as a significant and internationally recognized testament to its operational safety standards.