JEDDAH: Saudi low-cost carrier flynas expects to receive more than 100 Airbus aircraft over the next five years, part of its broader deal for 280 Airbus jets, as it expands its fleet to meet growth targets.
The announcement coincided with a visit from Airbus senior management to flynas’ headquarters in Riyadh.
The airline aims to operate over 160 aircraft by 2030, with its 280-plane order — worth more than SR161 billion ($43 billion) — making it the largest holder of single-aisle aircraft purchase orders in the Middle East.
This comes amid a growing backlog of aircraft orders in the aviation industry, with manufacturers like Boeing reducing delivery schedules for 2025, impacting Gulf carriers that have had to delay their launches.
Dubai-based Emirates has been hit hard as Boeing’s 777X faces major delays, with deliveries now expected no sooner than 2027.
“We value the visit of the Airbus senior management, which reflects the position of flynas as a leading Saudi carrier at the global level and also reflects the importance of our long-term partnership that has strengthened the contribution of flynas to achieving national goals in the aviation industry,” said Bander Al-Muhanna, CEO and managing director of flynas.
He noted that flynas’ partnership with Airbus began at its inception and strengthened in 2016 with an order for 120 aircraft. The collaboration reached a new level in 2024 with an agreement to purchase 160 Airbus A320 and A330 wide-body jets.
The expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect the Kingdom with 250 international destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers annually, and attract 150 million tourists by 2030.
The initiative also supports the Pilgrims Experience Program, designed to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques, the company said in a press release.
The Airbus delegation’s visit also marked flynas receiving a new Airbus A320neo last week — the first delivery of the year — bringing its fleet of the models to 54 aircraft.
During their visit, Airbus executives toured flynas’ headquarters and reviewed the airline’s latest aviation innovations. They also met with senior officials from the Saudi airline to discuss ways to strengthen their long-term partnership.
Saudi Arabia has been pushing to expand its aviation sector under Vision 2030, with national carriers ramping up fleet expansions to meet the Kingdom’s growing travel and tourism targets.
