flynas Purchases 160 Airbus Airplanes, Doubling Fleet Orders to 280 in 7 Years

July 25, 2024,

Leading carrier and best low-cost airline in the Middle East flynas has signed a landmark agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 160 new aircraft.

 The order comprises 30 wide-body A330neo airplanes and 130 narrow body A320-family airplanes. It more than doubles flynas’ total ordered aircraft to 280 over seven years after a 2016 deal to purchase 120 airplanes.

 The move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the aviation sector and supporting flynas’ ambitious expansion under the slogan “We connect the world to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

 This deal cements flynas’ status as one of the top four low-cost airlines worldwide.

 The agreement was signed at Farnborough Airshow in London, attended by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and flynas chairman Ayed Aljeaid.

 The signing ceremony also featured flynas chief executive and managing director Bander Almohanna, chief executive of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, and executive vice president of commercial transactions Paul Meijers.

 “I congratulate flynas on this significant agreement, which reflects the rapid development and transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector under Vision 2030,” Al-Duailej said, celebrating the milestone. “The growth and expansion of flynas are truly remarkable.”

 He described the deal as pivotal for achieving the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s goal to connect the Kingdom with over 250 international destinations and increase passenger traffic to 330 million annually by 2030.

 Almohanna highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, stating that it reinforces the determination to establish flynas as a leading global low-cost carrier.

 “By doubling our order volume to 280 Airbus aircraft, we ensure sustainable growth across our network of regional and international routes, spanning short, medium, and long-haul flights,” he said.

 Notably, this is the carrier’s first order for Airbus' wide-body A330neo, with deliveries starting in 2027, Almohanna noted. He said that the new purchase will enable the carrier to explore new long-haul markets, offer more seat capacity, with diverse and innovative products to the passengers.

 Almohanna further noted that doubling the volume of flynas’ fleet orders supports the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s objectives, including increasing international connectivity to Saudi Arabia.

 Additionally, it reinforces the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program and the National Tourism Strategy and creates numerous direct and indirect job opportunities.

 Almohanna underscored flynas’ commitment to medium- and long-term growth, aiming to expand the fleet operation size to over 160 aircraft by 2030 from 61 aircraft currently. The existing fleet consists of 53 A320neo aircraft, four A320ceo aircraft, and four A330ceo aircraft.

 Meanwhile, Scherer expressed delight to expand Airbus’ partnership with flynas through this significant deal for both A320neo and A330-900 aircraft.

 “The A330neo will allow flynas to further grow into widebody markets by building on the A320, benefiting from Airbus’ unique commonality,” Scherer emphasized. “Both aircraft types offer flynas the perfect versatility and economics to expand into new markets while offering their passengers the latest cabin experience and comfort.

 He added that Airbus looks forward to continuing its successful collaboration with flynas as it embarks on an exciting new chapter.

 Last year at the 2023 Paris Air Show, flynas signed an agreement with Airbus for 30 additional A320neo aircraft as part of fleet expansion from the previous order for 120 aircraft, which was signed in 2016.

 Currently, flynas operates over 70 domestic and international routes with more than 1,500 weekly flights and has served over 78 million passengers since its launch in 2007.