Flynas
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFlynas is a Saudi Arabian private low-cost airline headquartered in Riyadh.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Flynas, stylized as flynas and formerly known as Nas Air, is a Saudi Arabian private low-cost airline headquartered in Riyadh. It was established in 2007 after the Saudi government opened the domestic aviation market to budget competition. Flynas began flying on 25 February 2007 and became the first low-cost carrier established in Saudi Arabia, initially operating in a market where Saudi Arabian Airlines had previously been the country's only airline. The airline's original business model centered on affordable scheduled air travel within Saudi Arabia and to nearby international destinations. At the end of 2007, Nas Air committed to an order for 20 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, establishing the narrow-body fleet strategy that has remained central to the carrier. The company adopted the Flynas name in November 2013 as part of a broader effort to develop a more distinctive consumer brand. Flynas expanded its international network during the late 2000s and early 2010s. It began serving Egyptian destinations including Assiut and Sharm el-Sheikh in 2009, added several Turkish destinations and Lahore in 2011, and broadened its links from Saudi regional airports. In February 2013, the airline launched services from Dammam to Yanbu and Khartoum. These developments helped Flynas connect Saudi cities with important regional, labor, leisure and pilgrimage markets. In 2014, Flynas introduced its Global Flight Routes program, a network and commercial initiative intended to provide lower-priced travel between Jeddah and selected destinations in Africa, Asia and Europe while also supporting the movement of religious visitors to Saudi Arabia. The same period saw the temporary expansion of the airline's ambitions beyond the typical short-haul low-cost model. Flynas leased Airbus A330 aircraft and launched service to London Gatwick, becoming the first low-cost carrier to operate between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It also opened a Manchester route, although that service was discontinued after a short operating period. Later in 2014, the airline canceled most of its medium- and long-haul services because of weak performance, returning its strategic emphasis toward more sustainable regional and short-haul operations. Fleet modernization has been a major part of Flynas's development. In January 2017, the airline agreed to order 80 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, with deliveries planned over the following years. It received its first A320neo in November 2018. In June 2023, Flynas announced an additional order for 30 A320neo-family aircraft, bringing its stated Airbus order total to 120 aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs. The carrier's fleet was reported at 61 aircraft in February 2025. Flynas operates from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, using these airports as principal bases or operating centers. Its network has included more than 70 destinations and more than 1,500 flights per week according to the referenced company description, although route counts vary over time. The airline also performs Hajj services, reflecting Saudi Arabia's role as the destination for the annual Islamic pilgrimage. In February 2020, Flynas joined the International Air Transport Association, a step intended to improve industry cooperation and support future connectivity arrangements such as codeshares. Its overall positioning combines low fares, a predominantly Airbus narrow-body fleet, Saudi domestic coverage and links to regional international markets.
History
Flynas emerged from the liberalization of Saudi Arabia's domestic aviation market in the mid-2000s. Before the arrival of budget competitors, Saudi Arabian Airlines was the country's only airline. Nas Air received authorization in 2007 and started flying on 25 February of that year, becoming Saudi Arabia's first low-cost carrier. Its initial proposition was to make air travel more accessible through a lower-cost operating model and a predominantly Airbus A320-family fleet. The new carrier quickly committed to fleet development. In late 2007, Nas Air placed a firm order for 20 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family. This gave the airline a platform for domestic services and short regional routes while limiting operational complexity through a common narrow-body aircraft type. During its early expansion, the carrier added international destinations in nearby markets. Egyptian cities such as Assiut and Sharm el-Sheikh entered the network in 2009. In 2011, the airline added destinations in Turkey and expanded in Pakistan through Lahore, following Karachi. In February 2013, it introduced a Yanbu service from Dammam and connected Dammam with Khartoum, making the Sudanese capital the first international destination served from that Saudi base. The company changed its name from Nas Air to Flynas in November 2013. The new identity supported a broader consumer-facing brand while retaining the airline's low-cost orientation. In February 2014, Flynas introduced its Global Flight Routes program. The initiative was designed to offer competitively priced flights between Jeddah and selected markets in Africa, Asia and Europe, while also supporting the movement of religious visitors to Saudi Arabia. During 2014, Flynas experimented with a longer-haul model. It leased three Airbus A330 aircraft from Hi Fly and used them for medium- and long-distance services. In April, it launched Jeddah–London Gatwick, described in the reference material as the first Saudi Arabia–United Kingdom route operated by a low-cost carrier. Manchester followed in May, but the route was removed after only a short period. The airline also considered or announced routes to several additional markets, including destinations in South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Africa, France, China, the Philippines, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States. Most of these plans did not become durable operations. In October 2014, after poor performance, Flynas canceled most of its medium- and long-haul services and returned its emphasis to domestic and regional flying. Al-Qassim was added to the route network during the same year. Fleet renewal subsequently became a central strategic priority. In January 2017, Flynas agreed to acquire 80 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, with deliveries scheduled across the period from 2018 through 2026. The first A320neo arrived in November 2018. The aircraft order strengthened the airline's ability to grow while improving fuel efficiency and preserving commonality with its existing fleet. In June 2023, Flynas ordered another 30 A320neo-family aircraft, bringing the stated Airbus order total to 120, of which 10 were A321XLR aircraft. The reference material reports a fleet of 61 aircraft in February 2025. Flynas operates from four principal Saudi bases or operating centers: Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, Dammam's King Fahd International Airport and Medina's Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Its network has covered Saudi domestic markets and international destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. The airline also operates Hajj services, linking its commercial role with Saudi Arabia's importance as the center of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. In February 2020, Flynas joined IATA, a move intended to increase cooperation with other airlines and support future connectivity arrangements. By the 2020s, the brand's identity was therefore defined by affordable fares, a modern Airbus narrow-body fleet, extensive Saudi domestic coverage and selective international reach.
- 2023
Additional Airbus order
[1]Flynas ordered 30 additional A320neo-family aircraft, bringing its stated Airbus order total to 120 aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs.
- 2020
IATA membership
[1]Flynas joined the International Air Transport Association.
- 2018
First Airbus A320neo delivery
[1]Flynas received its first Airbus A320neo aircraft.
- 2014
Global Flight Routes program launches
[1]Flynas introduced a program focused on affordable international connections and religious-tourism traffic.
- 2014
London Gatwick service begins
[1]Flynas launched Jeddah–London Gatwick, its first European long-haul service and its first low-cost link between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
- 2013
Nas Air becomes Flynas
[1]The airline changed its name to Flynas in November.
- 2011
Expansion to Turkey and Lahore
[1]The airline added services to three Turkish cities and launched Lahore as its second Pakistani destination after Karachi.
- 2009
Egyptian destinations enter the network
[1]Nas Air began serving Assiut and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.
- 2007
Nas Air is founded and begins operations
[1]Nas Air was established in Saudi Arabia and began commercial operations on 25 February, becoming the country's first low-cost airline.
- 2007
Initial Airbus A320-family order
[1]The airline firmed an order for 20 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family.
Products and positioning
A Saudi Arabian low-cost airline positioned around affordable scheduled travel, extensive domestic coverage, regional international connectivity and service for religious visitors to the Kingdom.
Passenger air travel · 2007
Scheduled domestic flights
Flynas's domestic network connects major Saudi Arabian cities, with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina serving as principal operating centers. Domestic flying is the core of the airline's low-cost proposition and includes major city-pair routes such as Jeddah–Riyadh, Dammam–Riyadh and Jeddah–Dammam.
Passenger air travel · 2009
International regional flights
Flynas operates international services from Saudi Arabia to destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. The network has included markets such as Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Sudan, with route availability changing as the airline adjusts capacity and commercial priorities.
Religious and seasonal air travel
Hajj services
The airline performs Hajj services connected with the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. These operations complement scheduled services and reflect the carrier's role in serving religious visitors to the Kingdom.
Aircraft and fleet offering · 2018
Airbus A320neo-family operations
The Airbus A320neo family is the principal modern fleet platform associated with Flynas. The airline received its first A320neo in 2018 and later expanded its order book to include A320neo-family aircraft and A321XLRs.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Global Flight Routes
Middle East · Africa · Asia · Europe · Saudi Arabia
Flynas introduced Global Flight Routes to promote affordable international travel from Jeddah and to support transportation for religious visitors traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Outcome. The initiative accompanied a temporary international expansion, including long-haul services, although most medium- and long-haul routes were later withdrawn after weak performance.
Brand decisions
2023
Additional order for 30 Airbus A320neo-family aircraftGeneration changeBackground
Flynas continued expanding and modernizing its Airbus narrow-body fleet.
Action taken
The carrier ordered 30 additional A320neo-family aircraft, including A321XLR aircraft within its overall Airbus order total.
Aftermath
The stated total Airbus order reached 120 aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs.
2020
Membership in the International Air Transport AssociationStrategyBackground
Flynas sought broader cooperation with airlines and improved international connectivity.
Action taken
The airline joined IATA in February 2020.
Aftermath
Membership was intended to support industry cooperation and potential connectivity arrangements such as codeshares.
2017
Order for 80 Airbus A320neo-family aircraftGeneration changeBackground
Fleet modernization and network growth required additional narrow-body capacity.
Action taken
Flynas signed an agreement for 80 A320neo-family aircraft, with deliveries scheduled from 2018 to 2026.
Aftermath
The order supported a newer, more fuel-efficient fleet based on Airbus narrow-body aircraft.
2014
Trial of medium- and long-haul operationsStrategyBackground
Flynas sought to extend its low-cost model into Europe and other distant markets through leased wide-body aircraft.
Action taken
The airline leased three Airbus A330 aircraft and launched services including Jeddah–London Gatwick and Jeddah–Manchester.
Aftermath
Manchester service ended after a short period, and most medium- and long-haul routes were canceled in October 2014 because of poor performance.
2013
Rebranding from Nas Air to FlynasStrategyBackground
The airline sought to build a distinct consumer brand as it expanded beyond its initial identity.
Action taken
The company changed its name to Flynas in November 2013.
Aftermath
Flynas became the continuing commercial identity for the airline and its subsequent network and fleet expansion.
2007
Launch of Saudi Arabia's first low-cost airlineProduct launchBackground
Saudi Arabia's domestic airline market was opening to budget competition after Saudi Arabian Airlines had operated as the country's only airline.
Action taken
Nas Air received authorization and began commercial operations on 25 February 2007.
Aftermath
The company established the first Saudi low-cost airline platform and began developing a domestic and regional network.
Recent events
Sources2 sources
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