Flynas, the low-cost carrier based in Saudi Arabia, is poised for significant expansion as it aims to introduce new routes, establish a new airport base, and capture a larger share of the growing demand for budget air travel in the region.
Bander Almohanna, the airline’s CEO and Managing Director, is determined to pursue rapid growth, even in the face of potential competition from two upcoming Saudi carriers – Riyadh Air and Neom Airlines. Almohanna’s vision is to make flynas the leading airline for short- and medium-haul flights in the MENA region.
The airline’s fleet has been rapidly expanding, growing from 26 aircraft to 51 in just about two years. Flynas has placed a substantial order for 30 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, valued at SAR 14 billion, in line with their strategic expansion plan to become the largest LCC airline in the MENA region by 2030.
To support its expansion, flynas plans to open a new airport base in Saudi Arabia later this year, while also exploring opportunities to establish operational units in two undisclosed countries. The airline is actively developing new routes to meet the increasing demands from various markets.
Flynas recently launched 10 new destinations and became the first Saudi air carrier to operate direct flights between Riyadh and Jeddah to Sphinx International Airport in Cairo. It continues to explore new routes in the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Western Europe.
The airline’s half-yearly report showed substantial revenue growth and a 26% increase in passenger numbers compared to the previous year, reaching approximately five million passengers. With a focus on the strategic sector of Hajj and Umrah, flynas has transported more than two million pilgrims and Umrah performers since its inception, including over 101,000 pilgrims from 13 countries during this year’s Hajj season.
Despite the impending competition, flynas remains committed to its expansion plans, banking on its well-established partnership with Airbus and a strong determination to achieve its ambitious growth targets.
