Saudi carrier flynas expands reach with new base at Madinah Airport

CEO and Managing Director of flynas Bander Almohanna and the Managing Director of Tibah Airports Operations Co. Sofiene Abdessalem signing the agreement. (flynas)
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Updated 04 September 2023
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Saudi carrier flynas expands reach with new base at Madinah Airport

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier flynas is set to become the sole low-cost airline operating from four bases within the Kingdom, following a recent agreement. 

In a significant development, flynas has inked a deal with Tibah Airports Operation Co. to establish its latest operations hub at Madinah Airport in line with its expansion and growth plans, according to a press release. 

This expansion also aligns with the goals outlined in the National Civil Aviation Strategy, which seeks to facilitate national air carriers in playing a pivotal role in connecting Saudi Arabia with the global aviation network. 

Additionally, it falls in parallel with the goals of the Pilgrims Experience Program, which aims to enhance access to the two holy mosques. 

Bander Al-Mohanna, CEO and managing director of flynas, said: “Our investment in the new operations center at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, which is our fourth center in the Kingdom, comes within the framework of enhancing our operational capabilities and diversifying our international and domestic destinations and routes.”  

He added: “The step is in accordance with our strategy for growth and expansion, and it confirms our confidence in the potential of the Saudi market and the ambitious national goals for the air transport sector.”  

The CEO also highlighted the expected job opportunities that this expansion will generate for locals, including ground crews, air cabin crews, and pilots.  

“It is expected that the domestic and international destinations and routes that will be linked to Madinah airport will begin operating at the end of the last quarter of the current year 2023, coinciding with taking delivery of new aircraft to further upscale flynas fleet,” Al-Mohanna added. 

Sofiene Abdessalem, managing director of Tibah Airports Operation Co., emphasized that this agreement solidifies the strong partnership between the two entities.  

It also aligns with Tibah Airports Operation Co.’s mission to bolster the capabilities of national carriers, attracting more pilgrims and visitors while expanding global and local destinations connected to Madinah Airport. 

Established in 2017, flynas has ever since transported more than 60 million passengers. 

In 2023, it received recognition as the world’s fourth-best low-cost airline and the best in the Middle East for the sixth consecutive year. 

With a fleet of 51 aircraft, flynas operates more than 1,500 weekly flights to over 70 domestic and international destinations. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main market ends week in red at 11,189

Updated 05 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main market ends week in red at 11,189

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower at the end of the trading week on Thursday, falling 1.34 percent, or 152.54 points, to finish at 11,188.73. 

The benchmark index opened at 11,320.52 and trended lower throughout the session, finishing well below its previous close of 11,341.27.  

Market breadth was sharply negative, with only 28 gainers compared with 236 decliners. Trading activity saw a volume of 239 million shares exchanged, with total turnover reaching SR5.5 billion ($1.47 billion). 

In the parallel market, Nomu closed higher, rising 0.23 percent to 23,865.95, although decliners continued to outnumber advancers. The MT30 index closed at 1,508.60, down 1.46 percent, shedding 22.38 points by the end of the session. 

Among the session’s top gainers, Dar Al Majed Real Estate Co. led advances, rising 5.43 percent to close at SR9.91. 

Al Aziziah REIT Fund added 4.67 percent to SR4.48, while Al Majed Oud Co. gained 2.81 percent to SR161.20. AFG International Co. advanced 2.45 percent to SR17.17, and Al Mawarid Manpower Co. rose 1.37 percent to SR125.70.

On the losing side, Saudi Research and Media Group posted the steepest decline, falling 6.88 percent to SR107. Cherry Trading Co. dropped 6.23 percent to SR28.88, while Saudi Arabian Mining Co. slipped 5.41 percent to SR72.55.  

Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. declined 5.38 percent to SR102, and Power and Water Utility Co. for Jubail and Yanbu ended 4.56 percent lower at SR31.36. 

On the announcements front, Saudi Industrial Investment Group released its interim financial results for the twelve-month period ended Dec. 31, 2025, reporting a return to profitability on an annual basis despite posting a quarterly loss.  

The company recorded a net loss of SR104 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a net profit of SR201 million in the same quarter of the previous year, which it attributed mainly to lower selling prices, higher operating costs, and increased general and administrative expenses.  

For the full year, however, the group posted a net profit attributable to shareholders of SR197 million, compared with SR161 million a year earlier, supported by higher sales volumes and improved operational performance at several subsidiaries. The stock last traded at SR14.77, down 3.59 percent. 

Separately, Saudi Exchange Co. announced the approval of a request by Merrill Lynch Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to terminate its market-making activities for Saudi Arabian Oil Co., effective Feb. 8.

The exchange said the termination relates specifically to the market-making agreement for Saudi Aramco shares and was approved in line with applicable market-making regulations.