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Saudi Arabia’s flynas orders 30 A320neo family aircraft

The order is expected to support the carrier’s growth plans as it continues to expand its international routes and destinations network

by Kudakwashe Muzoriwa

June 19, 2023

Image credit: flynas

Saudi budget carrier flynas has firmed up its order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo family aircraft, taking the carrier’s total order with the European planemaker to 120 A320neo aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs.

The deal, which was signed at the Paris Airshow, highlights the carrier’s ambitious plans to keep expanding its fleet with the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft. It also reaffirms the low-cost carrier’s position as a key player in Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry.

flynas is an all-Airbus operator and was the first airline in Saudi Arabia to acquire the A320neo. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 32 A320neos, 13 A320ceos and four A330-300s.

More #A320neo! @flynas just added 30 A320neo Family aircraft to its fleet at #ParisAirShow to support its development plans, leveraging the aircraft's unbeatable economics, longer range capability and spacious cabin. https://t.co/AwX91MQ5ol pic.twitter.com/0ww0VF3W01

— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) June 19, 2023

The addition of the new aircraft is expected to support the carrier’s growth plans as it continues to expand its international routes and destinations network. Bander Almohanna, the CEO and managing director of flynas said the A320neo family brings unmatched benefits to passengers, offering exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits.

The A320neo family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver at least 20 per cent lower fuel burn and carbon emission savings. “We look forward to working with flynas as it develops its future fleet and presence in the fast-growing Saudi market,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus’ chief commercial officer and head of international.

flynas growth strategy

Meanwhile, flynas received three aircraft, one wide-body Airbus A330 and two new A320neo, the second batch of 19 new aircraft to be delivered in 2023 as part of a $10bn order to purchase 120 aircraft from Airbus.

The budget carrier reportedly plans to expand its existing jet orders to 250 aircraft as part of a broader strategy to become the Middle East’s largest discount carrier, with local units in two additional countries.

flynas posted revenue growth of 47 per cent in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period a year earlier, while passenger traffic surged by 26 per cent to more than 2.4 million from 1.9 million in 2022.

The number of flights jumped also 13 per cent to 17 thousand in Q1 2023 from 15 thousand flights the corresponding period last, driven by a recovery in air traffic.

flynas is moving forward with its expansion plans in its network of destinations, which requires upscaling its aircraft fleet. The aircraft recently launched direct flights to the Sphinx International Airport in Egypt, adding to new destinations and routes that were unveiled this year including Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq, Istanbul and Tirana.

The low-cost airline also signed an agreement with the Air Connectivity Program to launch five direct international destinations to Nigeria, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Founded in 2007 as Nas Air, flynas is partly owned by Kingdom Holding Company, the investment vehicle of Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal.