flynas, the leading Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier (LCC), unveiled a significant expansion plan at the recent Arabian Travel Market 2024 in Dubai.
This ambitious move aims to strengthen air travel connections between the Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Increased Presence in UAE
The expansion will see flynas become the sole Saudi carrier serving all four major airports in the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
This significant growth will increase routes between the two countries from the current four to nine, offering passengers more than 20 daily flights starting September 2024.
Flynas CEO Bander Almohanna expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion, stating it aligns with flynas’ motto “We Connect The World With the Kingdom.”
He highlighted the commitment to growth and the airline’s operational excellence, which has doubled its fleet size in under two years.
This focus positions flynas to cater effectively to the region’s burgeoning low-cost travel market.
Alignment with National Strategies
Almohanna further emphasized that the expansion aligns with the National Civil Aviation Strategy and the Saudi Vision 2030. These initiatives aim to:
- Increase annual passenger traffic to 330 million
- Connect Saudi Arabia with 250 international destinations
- Welcome 100 million tourists annually by 2030
The expansion also supports the goals of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) by facilitating easier access to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Increased Connectivity Across the Region
With this expansion, flynas will offer flights to the UAE from all four of its operational bases in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah. Passengers will benefit from new connections, including:
- Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh
- Shaikh Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) in Madinah
- Sharjah International Airport from both Jeddah and Madinah
flynas and Low-Cost Travel
flynas currently serves more than 70 domestic and international destinations, operating over 1500 weekly flights.
Since its launch in 2007, the airline has flown over 78 million passengers. The expansion plan aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to reach 165 domestic and international destinations.
flynas’ success is further solidified by multiple international awards, including:
- Skytrax International Award: 4th Best LCC Worldwide and Best Low-cost Airline in the Middle East (2023, 6th consecutive year)
- World Travel Awards: Leading Low-cost Airline Award in the Middle East (2023, 9th consecutive year)
This expansion demonstrates flynas’ commitment to providing affordable and convenient air travel, further strengthening connections between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
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