Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the national carrier of the kingdom, has launched its new affiliate low-cost airline Flyadeal during an event at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, director-general of Saudia and chairman of the Board of Flyadeal, stated that the airline will operate its first domestic flight on September 23 to coincide with the Kingdom's National Day, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The venture is part of the Saudia Group's SV2020 Transformation Strategy, which aims to develop the group's subsidiaries into world-class organisations by 2020, he added.

Flyadeal will cater to domestic travellers, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and the rising number of tourists to Saudi Arabia, as well as other groups. The carrier will initially operate flights to major domestic destinations, including Riyadh and Dammam, before expanding to other regional markets.

The first aircraft in the Flyadeal fleet, an Airbus A320-200, was received in Jeddah yesterday (August 25), added SPA.