Saudi low-cost airline Flynas plans to expand its network by adding two new African destinations, in line with its larger plan to expand throughout the continent.
Three weekly flights from Riyadh to Entebbe, Uganda, and the same number from Jeddah to Djibouti will be offered starting on January 8, the airline announced.
In line with Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which seeks to reach 330 million passengers and increase connectivity to 250 international destinations, the expansion is a component of the airline’s “We Connect the World to the Kingdom” initiative.
The routes to Djibouti and Entebbe also support the Pilgrims Experience Programme, which aims to facilitate travel to the holy cities of Madinah and Makkah, and Saudi Arabia’s objective of receiving 150 million tourists a year by 2030.
The airline is taking further steps to expand its international network by adding new routes to Uganda and Djibouti, which will make travel easier for passengers throughout the region.
This announcement comes after Flynas increased its domestic seat capacity by over 480,000 on summertime routes to Taif, Abha, and Al-Baha, a 21% increase over the previous year.
In July, the airline received its 53rd A320neo, which is a part of its ongoing order of 120 Airbus aircraft, further expanding its fleet.
Arriving at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the new model aircraft strengthened Flynas’ standing as one of the top four low-cost airlines in the world and a major player in the Middle East.
With plans to buy 160 more Airbus aircraft, including 30 wide-body A330neos and 130 A320s, Flynas signed an agreement to double its fleet during the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024.
Bander Al-Mohanna, the CEO and Managing Director, called the deal a significant step in making Flynas a major low-cost airline in the world.
Since its founding in 2007, Flynas has expanded to serve more than 70 domestic and international destinations, carrying more than 80 million passengers to date on 1,500 weekly flights.