Saudi low-cost carrier flynas has reported a revenue surge of 46% for the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the last year.
Passenger numbers increased 26% to about 5 million passengers and seat capacity grew 19%, boosted by upscaling fleet by 19% to 51 aircraft, according to the semi-annual performance report.
H1 performance 2023
As the global aviation sector moves further into the post-pandemic period, the general appetite for air travel remains robust.
In line with the performance of other carriers, flynas realised strong surge in revenue in the first half of the year; enjoying a significant rise in passenger numbers by 26%, totaling about 5 million passengers.
Additionally, flynas has increased its seat capacity by 19% as part of its strategic plan – a feat accomplished by upscaling its fleet to 51 aircraft, representing a growth rate of 19% since last year.
CEO comments
At the helm of flynas is Bander Almohanna, the CEO, and Managing Director, who expressed his pride in the airline’s exceptional performance during the first half of 2023.
Almohanna attributes this remarkable growth to the strategic expansion plan launched by the company earlier in the year.
As part of this plan, flynas successfully introduced 10 new destinations and routes during the summer, allowing it to tap into emerging markets and cater to the growing demand for affordable air travel.
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Pioneering new routes and partnerships
flynas has been at the forefront of pioneering new air routes and partnerships, further boosting its operational capabilities.
Notably, the airline became the first Saudi carrier to offer direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Sphinx International Airport in Cairo, strengthening the air connectivity between these important cities.
In partnership with the Air Connectivity Program, flynas initiated direct flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Bishkek and Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Almaty in Kazakhstan.
Additionally, flynas has increased the frequency of weekly flights to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, enhancing travel options for passengers.
Fleet expansion
The Hajj season witnessed flynas transport more than 100,000 pilgrims from 13 countries, showcasing its commitment to facilitating religious travel.
To bolster its operational capacity, flynas acquired its fourth wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft in early May. Moreover, the airline welcomed two Airbus aircraft of the next-generation A320neo, part of a larger order of 19 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2023.
Notably, flynas signed an agreement with Airbus during the Paris Air Show to purchase an additional 30 new A320neo aircraft, highlighting its ambitious plans to upscale its fleet and provide passengers with a superior flying experience.
Passenger services
Starting in January, the airline offered passengers the privilege of applying for a 4-day transit visa through its website, streamlining travel to the Kingdom.
Alongside this, flynas unveiled its leisure and holidays platform, nasholidays.com, which offers a seamless experience for travelers to personalize their vacation packages.
International awards
The dedication of flynas’ staff has earned the airline international acclaim. According to Skytrax, a renowned organization in the aviation industry, flynas has emerged as one of the top four low-cost airlines worldwide, a testament to its operational excellence and customer-centric approach.
The airline has been consistently recognized by Skytrax as the Best Low-cost Airline in the Middle East since 2023 and has secured the 4th Best LCC worldwide award.
In 2022, the World Travel Awards also acknowledged flynas as the Best Low-cost Airline in the Middle East for the eighth consecutive year.
Notably, in a comprehensive assessment by APEX, flynas was placed in the prestigious four-star category, the highest rating for low-cost airlines globally, further solidifying its position in the aviation industry.
Saudi Vision 2030
With respect to future prospects, the airline’s growth plan aims to expand to 165 domestic and international destinations by 2030, aligning with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
This initiative seeks to transform Saudi Arabia’s economy and elevate its status as a global investment powerhouse.
By reaching the milestone of 165 destinations, flynas is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s objectives, targeting 330 million passengers and 100 million tourists, while also strengthening the Kingdom’s international connectivity to over 250 destinations.
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