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Saudi Arabia's flynas Receives 2 Airbus A320neo

Nas Aircraft, the Saudi national economic carrier (Middle East)
Nas Aircraft, the Saudi national economic carrier (Middle East)
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Saudi Arabia's flynas Receives 2 Airbus A320neo

Nas Aircraft, the Saudi national economic carrier (Middle East)
Nas Aircraft, the Saudi national economic carrier (Middle East)

The Saudi budget airline flynas announced Monday that it had acquired two new Airbus A320neo aircraft, representing the third batch of 19 aircraft of the same model scheduled to be received this year.

Flynas signed an agreement with Airbus during the Paris Airshow to purchase 30 new A320neo aircraft as part of the national carrier's plans to increase its fleet.

Saudi Aviation announced that the size of the fleet has increased to 51 aircraft, up 96 percent in two years, compared to its size of 26 aircraft in the first quarter of 2021.

The two new A320neo aircraft arrived from Toulouse, France, and landed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, bringing the number of aircraft delivered by flynas to seven; five are A320neo and two A330.

Flynas CEO Bander al-Mohanna announced that the airline received the second batch of A320neo aircraft in less than a month, within days of signing the agreement to purchase 30 new aircraft.

Mohanna affirmed that the purchase asserts the company's endeavor to support growth with modern and efficient operational capabilities, equipped with the latest technology as part of the strategy for growth and expansion under the slogan "We Connect the World to the Kingdom."

The CEO noted that the increase in the fleet size by adding more A320neo next-generation aircraft indicates the commitment to maintaining the position regionally and globally.

Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, announced flynas as the 4th Best Low-Cost Airline in the World and kept its leading position as the Best LCC in the Middle East for 2023, for the sixth time in a row.

Last year, flynas' board of directors agreed to increase its orders to 250 new aircraft, making the Saudi carrier the largest budget carrier in the Middle East and North Africa.

The A320neo is a single-aisle aircraft popular with airlines for its fuel efficiency and low operating costs, reinforcing flynas' sustainability and environmental protection.

Flynas currently connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations, with more than 1,500 weekly flights.

Since its establishment in 2007, flynas has transported more than 60 million passengers and aims to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with Vision 2030.

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Türkiye Denounces Opposition Calls for a Day of No Shopping 

Shoppers walk through the spice bazaar in the Eminonu district of Istanbul on April 1, 2025. (AFP)
Shoppers walk through the spice bazaar in the Eminonu district of Istanbul on April 1, 2025. (AFP)
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Türkiye Denounces Opposition Calls for a Day of No Shopping 

Shoppers walk through the spice bazaar in the Eminonu district of Istanbul on April 1, 2025. (AFP)
Shoppers walk through the spice bazaar in the Eminonu district of Istanbul on April 1, 2025. (AFP)

Türkiye’s government denounced opposition calls for a mass commercial boycott following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu that sparked nationwide protests, describing them on Wednesday as an economic "sabotage attempt".

After the mayor was detained two weeks ago, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) had called for a boycott of goods and services from companies with perceived ties to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.

That call widened on Wednesday to include a halt to all shopping for one day, prompting some shops to close in solidarity with those criticizing the arrest as a politicized and anti-democratic attempt to hurt the opposition's electoral prospects.

Imamoglu is Erdogan's main political rival and the CHP's presidential candidate for any future election.

Trade Minister Omer Bolat said boycott calls posed a threat to economic stability and accused those advocating them of seeking to undermine the government.

They "are an attempt to sabotage the economy and include unfair trade and competition elements. We see this as a futile attempt by circles who consider themselves the masters of this country", Bolat said.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the calls threatened social harmony and economic stability, and were "doomed to fail".

Several cabinet ministers and pro-government celebrities, including former Germany and Real Madrid soccer midfielder Mesut Ozil, used the hashtag #BoykotDegilMilliZarar ("Not a Boycott, but National Damage") to emphasize their stance.

The calls have been led by CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who has encouraged the street protests that have swollen to the largest in Türkiye in more than a decade. Erdogan has called the protests "evil" and said they would not last.

Türkiye’s economy has been hit by a years-long cost of living crisis and series of currency crashes, with growth having slowed and inflation still lofty at 39% in February.

On Tuesday prosecutors launched an investigation into those advocating the boycott calls on social and traditional media.

The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office said it was probing calls that allegedly sought to prevent a segment of the public from engaging in economic activity, citing possible violations of laws against hate speech and inciting public hostility.