Flynas, renowned for its budget-friendly travel solutions in the Middle East and globally, unveiled significant plans to broaden its operational network within the UAE at the prestigious Arabian Travel Market 2024 held in Dubai. The airline aims to introduce flights to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai from its main bases across Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah.
Starting in September 2024, Flynas will become the sole airline from Saudi Arabia servicing the four major airports in the UAE. The current four routes offered between Saudi Arabia and the UAE will expand to nine, marking a substantial increase in the frequency of flights to more than 20 daily. This expansion reflects Flynas’ commitment to enhancing air connectivity between the two countries, further integrating their economic and tourism sectors.
Bander Almohanna, the Managing Director and CEO of Flynas, expressed excitement about the enhanced air links, which he noted aligns with the airline’s vision to connect the world with the Kingdom under the campaign “We Connect The World With the Kingdom”. He highlighted the airline’s operational excellence and strategic fleet expansion as key factors in supporting its rapid growth and the burgeoning low-cost travel market in the region.
The expansion is in line with Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to enable national carriers to connect the Kingdom with 250 international destinations and manage over 330 million passengers annually by 2030. Additionally, the strategy supports the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) which facilitates easier access to the Two Holy Mosques.
With this initiative, Flynas will provide the UAE market with an extensive range of flights from its four operational bases in Saudi Arabia. The airline already operates flights to Dubai International Airport from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah. The new routes will include flights to Al Maktoum International Airport from Riyadh, to Shaikh Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi from Jeddah and Madinah, as well as to Sharjah International Airport from Jeddah and Madinah.
Since its inception in 2007, Flynas has transported over 78 million passengers and currently connects over 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1,500 weekly flights. With plans to expand its reach to 165 destinations, the airline’s growth trajectory aligns with the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.
Flynas has garnered significant recognition in the aviation industry, earning accolades such as the Skytrax International Award as the 4th Best Low-Cost Carrier worldwide and the Best Low-cost Airline in the Middle East in 2023 for the sixth consecutive year. Additionally, it has been awarded the Leading Low-cost Airline in the Middle East by the World Travel Awards for the ninth consecutive year, testament to its service excellence and operational capabilities.
The strategic expansion of Flynas in the UAE is set to significantly influence global travel and tourism by facilitating easier and more affordable connections between key markets in the Middle East. This development not only supports the growth of regional tourism but also enhances the accessibility of the Middle East as a global tourism hub.
