Saudi Arabian Low-Cost-Airline Flynas buys additional 90 Airbus planes
Saudi Arabian low-cost airline Flynas intends to purchase 90 more aircraft from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. The intention was announced on Thursday at the airshow in Farnborough, England, Airbus revealed. Accordingly, Flynas has ordered 75 A320neo planes for up to 400 passengers each and 15 long-haul A330-900 planes. The catalog value exceeds 13 billion dollars (12 billion Euros), but the buyer can count on significant discounts.
Flynas, based in Riyadh, claims to be the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East. The company currently operates a fleet of 56 aircraft, all from Airbus. 65 more planes have already been purchased. Flynas CEO Bander Almohanna announced on Thursday that the acquisition of additional planes would support Flynas' growth plans and "ensure flights for the pilgrimage" to Mecca.
Flynas announced in Berlin on Thursday that the airline would begin direct flights between the German capital and the Saudi Arabian seaport of Jeddah starting September 4. The route will be offered three times a week. Berlin will be the first German destination for the airline. The airline also aims for the Muslim community in Germany and Europe, whose demand for pilgrimage travel has been steadily increasing.
The airline, founded in 2007, aims to contribute to establishing Saudi Arabia as a global travel and tourism hub by the end of the decade, according to its statements. Additionally, Flynas supports the goals of the Pilgrim Experience Program, which aims to facilitate access to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina.
Flynas' growth plans incline towards further expanding its fleet, as evidenced by the order for 90 additional Airbus-machines announced at the Farnborough airshow. The Saudi Arabian budget airline, Flynas, hopes that these new BudgetAirline planes will aid in offering more flights for the pilgrimage to Mecca.
