Saudi Arabia’s flynas Reports 51% More Passengers in Q1 2024, 43% Seat Capacity Increase

flynas hit a record 43% increase in overall seat capacity in Q1 2024 over the same period in 2023. (SPA)
flynas hit a record 43% increase in overall seat capacity in Q1 2024 over the same period in 2023. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s flynas Reports 51% More Passengers in Q1 2024, 43% Seat Capacity Increase

flynas hit a record 43% increase in overall seat capacity in Q1 2024 over the same period in 2023. (SPA)
flynas hit a record 43% increase in overall seat capacity in Q1 2024 over the same period in 2023. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s flynas announced on Monday the operational results for Q1 of 2024 as it continues to deliver on its ambitious growth strategy and expand its fleet size to accommodate strong passenger demand.

In Q1 2024, flynas welcomed 3.7 million passengers on board its flights, marking an increase of 51% over Q1 2023, the airline said in a statement.

flynas hit a record 43% increase in overall seat capacity in Q1 2024 over the same period in 2023, driven by domestic and international routes which were up 45% and 40% respectively.

“The strong start to the year underscores the effectiveness of our ambitious growth strategy. By tapping into the Kingdom’s economic growth and responding to increased passenger demand, we have successfully expanded our customer base,” said flynas Managing Director and CEO Bander Almohanna.

“Our progress is driven by leveraging exceptional talent, expanding our fleet, launching new destinations, introducing new products and enhancing our loyalty program,” he added.

“Looking ahead, we will continue building on our growth plans, through which we aim to connect the world with the Kingdom and support the development of the tourism and aviation sectors. We plan to capitalize on their growth potential by aligning with the National Civil Aviation Strategy and the Pilgrims Experience Program.”

flynas plays a key role in carrying out the Kingdom’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect Saudi Arabia with 250 international destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 100 million tourists annually by 2030.

During 2023, flynas launched 39 new routes to 18 destinations in 10 new countries and inaugurated its fourth operations base at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

flynas operates more than 1,500 weekly flights to more than 70 domestic and international destinations.

It received the Skytrax International Award as the 4th “Best LCC worldwide” and the “Best Low-cost Airline in the Middle East” in 2023 for the sixth time in a row. It won the “Best Low-cost Airline Award” in the Middle East from the World Travel Awards in 2024 for the tenth consecutive year.



Gold Prices Extend Gains as Equities, Bond Yields Weaken

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Prices Extend Gains as Equities, Bond Yields Weaken

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices extended gains to a second session on Wednesday, driven by weaker equities and bond yields, while traders eagerly await US economic data to gauge the Federal Reserve's timeline on a potential rate reduction.

Spot gold was up 0.5% at $2,675.25 per ounce, as of 1033 GMT, and trading about $10 below a record high of $2,685.42 scaled last month. US gold futures gained 0.5% to $2,691.90, Reuters reported.

"Seems the gold market wants to see a record high, with prices marginally below the late-September record high with support coming from a slightly risk-off environment with equities down," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

Safe-haven bullion tends to be a preferred investment in a low interest rate environment and during economic and geopolitical turmoil.

"The uncertainly surrounding US elections and geopolitical tensions will also support gold going forward," said ANZ commodity strategist Soni Kumari.

The benchmark 10-year note yields slipped to more than a one-week low, making non-yielding gold more attractive.

Market participants are keeping a keen eye on US retail sales, industrial production and weekly jobless claims data, due on Thursday.

Gold needs a stronger-than-expected data to change the rate-cut trajectory, but this should still boost investment demand and drive prices to a record high in the coming months, UBS' Staunovo said.

San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly said the central bank remains on track for more cuts this year as long as data meets expectations.

Delegates at the London Bullion Market Association's annual gathering predicted gold prices would rise to $2,941 over the next 12 months and silver prices would jump to $45 per ounce.

Spot silver firmed 1.1% to $31.83. Platinum rose 0.6% to $990.05 and palladium was up 0.6% to $1,015.75.

The Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX) will launch platinum and palladium futures in Q1 2025, according to the producers' council.