Flynas Doubles Fleet With A Landmark Order Of 160 Airbus Aircraft In Seven Years

Flynas, a leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, has signed a significant agreement with Airbus to purchase 160 new aircraft. This order includes 30 wide-body A330neo planes and 130 narrow-body A320-family planes. The deal more than doubles flynas' total ordered aircraft to 280 over seven years, following a 2016 agreement for 120 airplanes.

This move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the aviation sector and support flynas' ambitious expansion under the slogan "We connect the world to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." The agreement was signed at the Farnborough Airshow in London, attended by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and flynas chairman Ayed Aljeaid.

Almohanna highlighted the strategic importance of this deal, stating it reinforces their 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.

The new purchase will enable flynas to explore new long-haul markets and offer more seat capacity with diverse and innovative products for passengers. Almohanna noted that doubling the fleet orders supports the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s objectives, including increasing international connectivity to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it reinforces the Pilgrim Experience Program and the National Tourism Strategy while creating numerous direct and indirect job opportunities.

Currently, flynas operates over 70 domestic and international routes with more than 1,500 weekly flights. Since its launch in 2007, it has served over 78 million passengers. Last year at the Paris Air Show, flynas signed an agreement with Airbus for 30 additional A320neo aircraft as part of fleet expansion from a previous order for 120 aircraft signed in 2016.

Partnership with Airbus

Scherer expressed delight in expanding 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."

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

Significance of the Agreement

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

This is flynas' first order for Airbus' wide-body A330neo planes, with deliveries starting in 2027. Almohanna noted that this purchase would enable them to explore new long-haul markets while offering more seat capacity with diverse products for passengers.

The signing ceremony also featured key figures such as flynas chief executive Bander Almohanna, chief executive of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, and executive vice president of commercial transactions Paul Meijers.

This landmark agreement cements flynas’ status as one of the top four low-cost airlines worldwide. It marks a significant step towards achieving their ambitious goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

With inputs from SPA