Flynas becomes first Saudi carrier to join UNWTO

Saudi low-cost airline flynas has joined the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an affiliate member.

It has become the kingdoms first carrier, and the Middle East’s first low-cost airline, to join UNWTO whose members include more than 500 companies, educational and research institutions, and NGOs.

Members of the UNWTO share information and implement measures to take further action with the objective of contributing to sustainable global tourism in accordance with the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

The UNWTO opened its Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh in 2021 and flynas’ membership comes ahead of Saudi Arabia hosting the 26th General Assembly session of the UNWTO in 2025 – the first time the kingdom will host the event.

Also, the UNWTO Executive Council has approved the re-election of Saudi Arabia as president of the council for the year 2024 at the 120th Executive Council meeting held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand.

“Flynas joining the organisation as the first Saudi airline and the first low-cost carrier in the Middle East [indicates] that the membership goals come in line with flynas’ sustainability plan, which focuses on adopting initiatives with a sustainable impact on the environment, society, and the economy, in addition to its efficient role in shaping the future of global travel and its pioneering role in building a sustainable tourism sector,” said Bander Almohanna, CEO and managing director of flynas.

A few weeks ago, flynas took delivery of four new A320 neo aircraft. With those aircraft, it has increased the number of its A320 neo aircraft to 43. This single-aisle aircraft therefore now makes up 70 per cent of its total fleet.

Overall, flynas has 60 aircraft, four of which are the A330 widebody variants, marking a 100 per cent growth in its fleet size over the last two years.

Read: Flynas acquires four new Airbus A320 neo aircraft

This article originally appeared on Business Traveller Middle East