When you truly love what you do, calling "time" is hard. So I'll keep this simple. This week, I told #TeamF3 that I will be stepping down as CEO of flyadeal. I will remain as an adviser through year-end, supporting my SAUDI AIRLINES colleague Sanjiv Kapoor, who steps in as interim CEO, while a search for my permanent successor gets underway. Rapidly transforming flyadeal into one of the region's most adept, reliable and fast-growing low-cost carriers has been the honour of my career. New aircraft, new routes, new records — and consistently among the world's best on-time performers, with safety as the cornerstone of everything. None of it happened by accident. All of it happened because of our people. But working @ 1,000% takes its toll. With the business resilient despite current headwinds, I've made the deliberate choice to step back — and for once, focus on family, friends, and me. I want to say something I mean unreservedly: Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 got under my skin in the best possible way. The warmth and grace of its people, the pace of change, and the sheer ambition of Vision 2030 — a programme genuinely reshaping a nation before your eyes — has been one of the great privileges of my professional life to witness up close, and play a small part in. This country gave me far more than I ever expected. I will leave with enormous respect and affection for it. To #TeamF3 — you are the reason this airline is what it is. It has been the privilege of my working life to lead you. I'm not gone yet, so let's finish strong 💜 To our passengers — thank you for trusting us with your journeys. Every single one mattered. To my Chairman His Excellency Ibrahim AlOmar, Board, and the Saudia Group — thank you for the opportunity, the trust, and the counsel. And to my LinkedIn community who followed this ride — the milestones, the turbulence, and the bad jokes — thank you. It's been quite a journey. ✈️ More to come. Watch this space 👀 #flyadeal #F3Boss #Vision2030 #ThisIsTheWay #TeamF3
Boss - you put 1000 per cent into everything you do and it shows in your business results and the people you impact. Enjoy your time refreshing and recharging. You deserve it.
Hi Steven Very much impressed in reading the development with Flyadeal under your guidance. At any stage if Flyadeal wants to promote their services across India, advice to discuss with concern. I have 39 years of experience in Travel Industry out of which 20+ years with Al Tayyar Travel Group in Riyadh Saudi Arabia as CSM in their Corporate Sales Division. I am interested and confident, if you feel so, advice to discuss your concern on the subject....
Although, we have never met personally, I have followed flyadeal’s progress for years and have also had the chance to watch some of your presentations at the Asia Aviation Festival. I have genuinely admired the clarity of your leadership and the way you helped build a true low cost model in the region. You leave behind a remarkable legacy, and I wish you every success in what comes next.
In large organizations leadership impact isn't always in the announcements. Sometimes it's in the repeated applications of experienced people who just fade into long silences. I worked within the Saudia Group before so I've seen both the potential and the friction. Wishing flyadeal a smooth transition. Sanjiv Kapoor I worked with him at Saudia. Professional. Competent. Class act. No farewell applause from me. Just a quiet observation from the sidelines.
You did a great job building Flyadeal to climb sky high. Wish you the best for your next role!
What a ride… I had to check all the hashtags to check if this is an apirl fools prank 😅 The way you brought us along with you during the ups and the downs will hopefully set a new standard for the industry
When you know it’s time you know. You have done an amazing job at flyadeal Steven and you have earned that recharge, and I know you have more exciting chapters in your career ahead. Let’s enjoy a mutual recharge drink, and catchup, next time you are back in London old friend.
Good call recognizing that running on a 1000% pace has its negatives down the road. Best of luck.
I'm sure your family & friends are looking forward to having you with them on a full time basis. They certainly deserve your time and attention. Best wishes on your future endeavors.
You have excellent taste in boots #rmw