flynas opens fifth operations base at Abha airport

By AI, Created 12:15 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – Saudi low-cost carrier flynas launched its fifth operations base at Abha International Airport, a move meant to expand domestic and international connectivity in the Aseer Region. The airline says the new base will help support tourism, aviation growth and Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Why it matters: - flynas now has five major operations bases in Saudi Arabia, making it the first Saudi carrier to operate from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Abha. - The Abha base is designed to strengthen air links in the Aseer Region and support tourism and economic activity in a part of the Kingdom the airline wants to position as a year-round destination. - The expansion fits Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Civil Aviation Strategy, both of which depend on wider air connectivity and more tourism capacity.

What happened: - His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Aseer Region and Chairman of its Development Authority, inaugurated the new flynas operations base at Abha International Airport. - The launch took place in cooperation with the Aseer Region Development Authority and Cluster 2 Airports. - flynas Chairman Ayed Aljeaid and CEO Bander Almohanna attended the ceremony. - The inauguration included a welcome for an aircraft decorated with the Aseer Region identity, a traditional water cannon salute and commemorative photos at Abha International Airport.

The details: - The first phase of direct flights from Abha will include 11 domestic and international destinations. - The international network from Abha will include Dubai, Cairo, Istanbul and Addis Ababa as year-round destinations. - Kuwait and Trabzon will be served as seasonal routes. - The domestic network will continue to include Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk. - flynas said the number of domestic and international destinations linked to Abha will gradually double in the next phase. - The new base is part of flynas’ broader plan to build an integrated national operating network across the Kingdom. - flynas is listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul). - The airline says it operates 156 routes to more than 80 domestic and international destinations in 38 countries, with more than 2,000 weekly flights. - flynas says it has carried 110 million passengers since launching in 2007 and plans to reach 165 domestic and international destinations.

Between the lines: - The Abha launch signals a deeper push by flynas into secondary and regional markets, not just the Kingdom’s largest hubs. - Adding year-round international service to Abha could make the airport a more important gateway for leisure travel and inbound tourism to Aseer. - The focus on seasonal and year-round mix suggests flynas is testing demand while building a base for longer-term growth.

What’s next: - flynas plans to expand the Abha network in the next phase, with more destinations expected over time. - The airline’s wider growth plan points toward further additions across Saudi Arabia and abroad as it works toward its 165-destination target. - The new base is expected to support continued investment in Saudi aviation and tourism infrastructure.