flyadeal (F3, Jeddah International) has taken delivery of its maiden aircraft as it progresses towards its AOC certification and ensuing launch, scheduled for September 23, Saudi Arabia's national day.

In a statement, Dubai-based lessor DAE Capital said it had handed over the first of eight A320-200s to the Saudi budget carrier during a ceremony in Germany on August 23. HZ-FAA (msn 7829) was subsequently ferried from Hamburg Finkenwerder to Jeddah International with the remaining seven aircraft to be delivered through 2018. In terms of longterm plans, it aims to employ a fleet of thirty aircraft by 2020 and fifty-four by 2030.

flyadeal is to be an autonomous subsidiary of Saudia (SV, Jeddah International) offering low-cost travel options to leisure and business travelers and service destinations in the Middle East and beyond.