Kuwait, UK explore ways to strengthen aviation ties

In February, Kuwait Airways also increased its flights between Kuwait and London to 16 weekly departures.
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Updated 30 December 2025
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Kuwait, UK explore ways to strengthen aviation ties

RIYADH: Aviation ties between Kuwait and the UK are set to strengthen further as officials from both countries discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the sector. 

According to a report by Kuwait News Agency, Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah,  chairman of the board of directors of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, met with Qudsi Rashid, the ambassador of the UK and Northern Ireland, where they addressed opportunities for exchanging expertise in the aviation industry. 

The meeting also saw the officials discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations to support the air transport system and facilitate passenger movement between Kuwait and the UK. 

KUNA added that both sides stressed the importance of continued coordination and the development of partnerships that serve mutual interests and contribute to achieving the highest standards of safety and efficiency in the aviation sector. 

Earlier this month, Al-Sabah held a meeting with UK’s Ttrade Commissioner to Kuwait Lord Iain McNicol to explore ways to enhance cooperation in the field of civil aviation. 

The DGCA, in a statement to KUNA, said that the talks addressed various topics, including air traffic control training, development of infrastructural and operational services, as well as strengthening public-private partnerships in strategic projects in Kuwait International Airport. 

The statement added that the discussion came within the framework of the Kuwaiti-UK relationship, and the Middle East nation’s keenness to benefit from British expertise in supporting civil aviation projects. 

In May, Kuwait Airways and the UK’s Rolls-Royce Holding Group agreed to strengthen efforts to develop the airline’s aircraft engine systems to boost operational efficiency. 

At that time, KUNA reported that the endeavor was part of the airline’s strategic goal to enhance cooperation between Kuwait Airways and the British engineering firm, while the ultimate beneficiaries will be the travelers onboard the flag carrier’s aircraft. 

In February, Kuwait Airways also increased its flights between Kuwait and London to 16 weekly departures, aimed at offering more flexibility and convenience for travelers between the two countries.

In July, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Lammy during his official visit to Kuwait met Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties between both nations. 

During the visit, Lammy said that the UK is working to strengthen cooperation with Kuwait in trade, investment and business, as well as in the security and defense sectors. 


Flynas adjusted profit rises 28% to $148m

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Flynas adjusted profit rises 28% to $148m

RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flynas posted a 28 percent increase in adjusted annual profit for 2025, as passenger growth and fleet expansion supported earnings despite a statutory loss caused by one-off expenses linked to its public listing.  

Adjusted net profit reached SR556 million ($148.1 million), compared with SR434 million a year earlier, according to a filing on Saudi Exchange. 

The airline reported a statutory net loss of SR527 million, versus a net profit of SR434 million in 2024, after booking SR1.08 billion in non-recurring IPO-related charges, including a one-time employee share-based payment expense and listing fees. 

The Saudi carrier last year raised SR4.1 billion in what marked one of the region’s largest aviation listings. 

The strong financial results of flynas come as a contributor to Saudi Arabia’s goal to establish itself as a global tourist and business destination. The Kingdom aims to attract over 150 million visitors by the end of this decade. 

Bander Al-Mohanna, CEO and managing director, said: “2025 was a year of disciplined execution and strategic progress for flynas. Despite external headwinds, including aircraft availability constraints and regional disruptions, we stayed focused on operational reliability, cost discipline, and network expansion.” 

He added: “Our low-cost model continues to prove resilient, enabling us to serve growing demand for affordable travel while maintaining margin discipline.” 

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization increased 15 percent year on year to SR2.51 billion, with margin expanding by 3.2 percentage points to 32.1 percent, reflecting operating scale and continued cost discipline. Total revenue rose 4 percent to SR7.84 billion. 

The company reported revenue through three distinct operating segments. The low-cost carrier segment, which accounted for 90 percent of total revenue, generated SR7.09 billion, up 4 percent from a year earlier, supported by route expansion and higher operating capacity. 

Hajj and Umrah revenue remained broadly stable at SR584 million compared to SR587 million in 2024. General aviation revenue declined 6 percent to SR174 million, contributing 2 percent of total revenue. 

Passenger traffic grew 7 percent to 15.8 million, while available seat kilometers increased by 11 percent, driven mainly by international expansion and capacity deployment across key markets. 

Cost of revenue increased 4 percent to SR6.36 billion, broadly in line with revenue growth. Selling, general, and administrative expenses remained stable at SR510 million. 

Sale-and-leaseback gains totaled SR76 million, compared with SR131 million in 2024.  

The reduction reflects a deliberate strategic shift initiated in 2025, whereby the company began financing a portion of its aircraft directly as part of its long-term strategy to enhance unit cost efficiency.  

“This marks the implementation of a more balanced fleet funding model, combining owned and leased aircraft, and is expected to enhance long-term capital efficiency and support structural CASK improvement,” the statement said. 

The fleet expanded to 71 aircraft by year-end, including eight A320neo deliveries during the year and five wet-leased aircraft added to support network growth and mitigate supply chain constraints.  

In 2025, flynas introduced 25 new routes and 12 destinations across 9 countries, focusing on wider network coverage and expanding international presence to a total of 80 destinations across 38 countries. 

Total assets increased 27 percent to SR17.22 billion, while total equity more than doubled to SR3.55 billion, primarily attributable to higher retained earnings and the recognition of IPO proceeds. 

Flynas’s Chief Financial Officer, Ramzi Zaroubi, said: “We delivered margin expansion across the board, with adjusted EBITDA margin improving to 32.1 percent and adjusted net profit margin reaching 7.1 percent, ahead of our guidance.”

He added: “Beyond the income statement, we made important strides in strengthening the balance sheet, ending the year with significantly enhanced liquidity of SR4.1 billion in cash and equivalents and reducing net debt by 27 percent year on year.” 

Looking ahead, flynas said it remains focused on sustainable growth through scaling capacity efficiently, deepening presence in key markets, and enhancing guest experience.  

In early 2026, the company announced the establishment of a new operational base at Abha International Airport — its fifth in Saudi Arabia — and signed a term sheet to establish flynas Syria, a new low-cost carrier platform, subject to regulatory approvals.