Flynas

Low-cost airline in Saudi Arabia

Flynas
طيران ناس

| IATA | ICAO | Call sign

|
|

XY  | KNE  | NAS EXPRESS
Founded| 2007 (2007)
Commenced operations| February 25, 2007 (2007-02-25)
Operating bases|

*     * Dammam
* Jeddah
* Medinah
* Riyadh

Frequent-flyer program| Nasmiles[1][2]
Fleet size| 65
Destinations| 88
Parent company| National Air Services
Headquarters| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Key people|

* Ayed Al-Jeaid (Chairman)[3]
* Bander Al-Mohanna (CEO)[4]

Website| www.flynas.com

Flynas (stylized flynas; Arabic: طيران ناس), formerly Nas Air, is a private Saudi low-cost airline "joint-stock company".[5][6] It is the first low-cost airline in Saudi Arabia.[7] The company's headquarters are located in Riyadh.[8]

It operates more than 1,500 flights per week, which serve more than 70 domestic and international destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa.

It takes King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah as centers for its operations. Its fleet consists of 61 aircraft as of February 2025.[9][10]

## History

[edit]

Former logo from 2008 until 2013. A Nas Air Airbus A320-200 in 2014

### Nas Air

[edit]

Saudi Arabian Airlines was the only airline in the country when budget carriers Nas Air and Sama Airlines got their licenses from the government.[11] Nas Air was founded in 2007.[12] Operations started on 25 February that year.[11] In late 2007, Nas Air firmed up an order for 20 aircraft of the Airbus A320 family.[13]

### Flynas

[edit]

The company changed its name from Nas Air to Flynas in November 2013.[14][15] In January 2017, Flynas signed an agreement to order 80 Airbus A320neo family with deliveries scheduled from 2018 to 2026.[16] In July 2017, the Flynas application on smart devices, iPhone and Android, achieved one million downloads of the application by users.[17] In November 2018, Flynas took delivery of the first Airbus A320neo family aircraft.[16] In June 2023, Flynas ordered 30 Airbus A320neo, taking the airline's total order with Airbus to 120 A320neo aircraft, including 10 A321XLR.[18]

## Corporate affairs

[edit]

The managing director and CEO of Flynas is Bander Al-Mohanna, the chairman of the board of directors is Ayed Al-Jeaid, the vice-chairman is Talal Al-Maiman, and the members of the board of directors are Hamza Al-Kholi, Saad Al-Mousa, and Saleh Al-Henaki.[19]

## Destinations

[edit]

Main article: List of Flynas destinations

As of September 2023[update], Flynas served 54 destinations across 99 routes; the airline has Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Medinah as operating bases.[20]

Initial service to Assiut and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt began in 2009, with flights to the latter initially operated on a seasonal basis.[21] In 2011, the airline started services to three cities in Turkey: Adana, Antakya and Istanbul.[22] Also that year, Lahore in Pakistan became the second city served in the country after Karachi.[23] In February 2013, flights to Yanbu from Dammam were launched. Also that month, the airline started flying from Dammam to Khartoum, with the Sudanese capital becoming the airline's first international destination to be linked to that Saudi city.[24]

In February 2014, Flynas introduced its Global Flight Routes program, aimed at offering affordable rates to passengers for flights between Jeddah and points in Africa, Asia and Europe,[25] and at carrying religious tourists to Saudi Arabia.[26] In March 2014,[27] Flynas incorporated the first of three Airbus A330s the carrier would lease from Portugal's Hi Fly. These aircraft, including both the –200 and the –300 models, would be used to start medium-haul services.[28] The airline also planned to add the Airbus A350 to its fleet for long-haul services.[29]

Flynas became the first low-cost carrier to serve the Saudi Arabia-UK market when it launched the Jeddah–London Gatwick service, its first European long-haul route, in April 2014.[30] Medium-haul routes to Karachi and Lahore were also planned, along with long-haul services to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Casablanca, Manchester and Islamabad.[31] Flights to Iran were also due to commence by the same time.[32] Manchester became the airline's second destination in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2014.[33][34] Cairo was made part of the route network in June 2014, making the Egyptian capital the carrier's seventh destination in the country.[35] The London-Gatwick–Riyadh sector would also be served from 27 July the same year.[36] A month later, it was informed that services to Manchester would be discontinued in August 2014, just after three months of operations.[37][38] That month, the Indian market was expected to be served for the first time with flights to Hyderabad, followed by Calicut in September 2014.[39] Plans were also to serve France next as well as China, Philippines, Nigeria and South Africa later on.[29] Flynas also expected to serve the US market in 2015.[40] However, Manchester was removed from the carrier's list of destinations in early August 2014,[41] and in October of the same year, the airline announced the cancellation of most of its long- and medium-haul services owing to poor performance.[26][42][43] Also in October 2014, Al-Qassim was incorporated to the route network.[44]

At April 2015[update], Flynas' top three domestic routes in terms of available seats were Jeddah (JED)–Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM)–RUH and JED–DMM.[45] The carrier also performs Hajj services.[46][47]

### Codeshare agreements

[edit]

Flynas has a codeshare agreement with follwing airlines:[48]

* Etihad Airways[31][49]
* Ethiopian Airlines
* Gulf Air[50]
* Pegasus Airlines[51]

In February 2020, Flynas joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which will help the company with "greater co-operation" with other member airlines and increase connectivity through codeshare agreements.[52]

## Fleet

[edit]

Flynas Airbus A320neo in 2022

### Current fleet

[edit]

As of June 2025[update], Flynas operates an all-Airbus fleet composed of the following aircraft:[53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60]

Flynas fleet Aircraft  | In Fleet  | Orders  | Passengers  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Airbus A320-200 | 6  | -- | 164  |
Airbus A320neo | 58  | 106  | 174  |
Airbus A321XLR | -- | 36  | TBA |
Airbus A330-300 | 5  | -- | 335  |
436  |
Airbus A330-900 | -- | 15  | TBA |
Total  | 69  | 157  |

### Historic fleet

[edit]

Throughout its history, Flynas and its predecessor, Nas Air, operated the following aircraft types:

* Airbus A319-100[61]
* Airbus A330-200[62]
* Boeing 747-400[62]
* Boeing 767-300ER[62]

## See also

[edit]

* Transport in Saudi Arabia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "About | naSmiles |flynas". www.flynas.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
2. ^ "Earn naSmiles | flynas". www.flynas.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
3. ^ "NAS HOLDING APPOINTS BANDER AL-MOHANNA AS CEO OF THE GROUP". flynas. 1 February 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018.
4. ^ "flynas Takes Delivery of its First Airbus A320neo Aircraft". flynas. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018.
5. ^ "Flynas General Information". pitchbook.
6. ^ "Saudi Arabia's Flynas looks to expand in overseas units". Al Arabiya English. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
7. ^ Rashad, Marwa (2 April 2014). "Saudi budget carrier flynas says to become profitable this year". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014.
8. ^ "flynas Headquarters". Flynas. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017.
9. ^ "نبذة عنا | طيران ناس". www.flynas.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
10. ^ "طيران ناس السعودي تشتري 30 طائرة إيرباص بـ 3.7 مليار دولار". اقتصاد سكاي نيوز عربية (in Arabic). Retrieved 9 September 2023.
11. ^ a b Sobie, Brendan (19 December 2007). "Saudi market opens up further". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014.
12. ^ "Saudi Arabia's flynas long-haul LCC to Europe and Asia, introducing a new low cost alternative". Centre for Aviation. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014.
13. ^ "Dubai 2007: NAS firms Airbus deal". Flightglobal. Flight Daily News. 13 November 2007. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018.
14. ^ Moores, Victoria (12 March 2014). "Saudi's Flynas seeks to renegotiate its A320 order". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014.
15. ^ Shane, Daniel (14 November 2014). "Rebranded Nasair aiming for 20m passengers by 2020". arabianbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
16. ^ a b "Saudi's flynas takes delivery of first A320neo". ArabianBusiness.com.
17. ^ flynas. "تطبيق "طيران ناس" يحقق مليون مستخدم". flynas.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
18. ^ "Flynas orders 30 Airbus A320neos".
19. ^ "About Us | flynas". www.flynas.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
20. ^ "Saudi Arabia's flynas reveals Madinah base network". ch-aviation GmbH. 13 October 2023. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023.
21. ^ Morris, Martin (4 July 2009). "Nasair launches new routes". arabianbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
22. ^ Sambidge, Andy (16 March 2011). "Saudi low cost carrier launches flights to Turkey". arabianbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013.
23. ^ "Saudi's Nasair launches new Pakistan route". arabianbusiness.com. 19 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
24. ^ "Nasair launches its first flights from Dammam to Yanbu and Khartoum, launched a new sales office in Jubail to serve Nasair customers in the region" (Press release). Flynas. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014.
25. ^ "Flynas launches Global Flight Routes program". Arab News. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
26. ^ a b Dron, Alan (28 October 2014). "Flynas abandons long-haul program". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014.
27. ^ "Flynas receives first Airbus 330 plane as part of fleet expansion". Arab News. 29 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014.
28. ^ Dron, Alan (1 April 2014). "Flynas takes delivery of first A330". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014.
29. ^ a b Jasper, Chris (11 March 2014). "Saudi Carrier Flynas Keen on A350 Deal as Airbus Order Reviewed". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014.
30. ^ "Flynas launches new service to London Gatwick airport". Arab News. 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
31. ^ a b "flynas returns to short-haul flying as Saudi Arabia welcomes Al Maha Airways and SaudiGulf Airlines". CAPA Centre for Aviation. 3 December 2014. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014.
32. ^ Altuwaijri, Nada (18 December 2013). "Saudi low-cost carrier plans expansion into Europe, Asia". Al Arabiya News.
33. ^ Cox, Charlotte (9 May 2014). "Saudia Arabian flight touches down in Manchester for first time". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 9 May 2014.
34. ^ "Inaugural Flynas flight touches down at Manchester". Arabian Aerospace. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2014.
35. ^ "Flynas touches down in Cairo with daily non-stop flights". Al Bawaba. 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 June 2014.
36. ^ Sambidge, Andy (29 June 2014). "Saudi's flynas set to launch London Gatwick flights". arabianbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
37. ^ Dron, Alan (28 July 2014). "Middle Eastern carriers drop routes". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014.
38. ^ Ellis, Dominic (23 July 2014). "Saudi's Flynas To Drop Manchester In August". Gulf Business. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014.
39. ^ "Saudi budget airline Flynas to begin operations next month". The Economic Times. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014.
40. ^ "ROUTES: Flynas to start US flights in 2015". Flightglobal. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 9 June 2014.
41. ^ Graham, James (5 August 2014). "Flynas axes Manchester service". TheBusinessDesk. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014.
42. ^ "Official statement from flynas regarding Global Flight Program flight suspension" (Press release). Flynas. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014.
43. ^ "flynas W14 Network Changes". Airline Route. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014.
44. ^ "Al-Qassim is newest Flynas destination" (Press release). Flynas. 16 October 2014. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014.
45. ^ "flynas benefits from relaxed Saudi fare cap; could become the second Gulf partner for Cebu Pacific". CAPA Centre for Aviation. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015.
46. ^ Cornwell, Alexander (20 November 2014). "Flynas appoints new CEO, focuses on regional traffic". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 27 November 2014.
47. ^ Garba, Kabir Alabi (29 September 2014). "Nigerian Pilgrims in High Spirit, Commend Officials for Improved Services". AllAfrica.com. Madinah. The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014.
48. ^ "flynas partnerships". flynas.com. 7 July 2025.
49. ^ Sambidge, Andy (1 October 2012). "Etihad inks codeshare deal with Saudi's nasair". arabianbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014.
50. ^ "flynas / Gulf Air Begins Reciprocal Codeshare Partnership From July 2025". aeroroutes.com. 7 July 2025.
51. ^ "Flynas and Pegasus code share details" (Press release). Pegasus Airlines. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016.
52. ^ "Saudi carrier Flynas joins IATA | Airlines". airlines.iata.org. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
53. ^ "Saudi Arabia's flynas to open Madinah base". ch-aviation GmbH. 6 September 2023. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023.
54. ^ "Flynas Fleet". Flynas.
55. ^ flynas. "طيران ناس يوقع طلبية شراء 30 طائرة ايرباص A320neo جديدة ضمن خططه لزيادة حجم أسطوله إلى 250 طائرة". flynas.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
56. ^ Economy.Riyadh (19 June 2023). "طيران ناس تؤكد طلبية شراء 30 طائرة جديدة من عائلة طائرات إيرباص A320neo". صحيفة الاقتصاد الإلكترونية (in Arabic). Retrieved 9 September 2023.
57. ^ "Saudi Arabia's flynas firms up 30 more A320neo Family aircraft". www.airbus.com. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
58. ^ flynas. "flynas firms up additional 30 new A320neo Family aircraft with plans to increase the order to 250 aircraft". flynas.com. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
59. ^ Godinho, Varun (2 November 2023). "Flynas acquires four new Airbus A320 neo aircraft". Retrieved 9 November 2023.
60. ^ "Airbus O&D". Airbus S.A.S. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
61. ^ "Airbus Orders & Deliveries". Airbus. 31 August 2019. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019.
62. ^ a b c "Flynas fleet". ch-aviation GmbH. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014.

## External links

[edit]

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