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.



Oil Steadies after Fall as Middle East Uncertainty Persists

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Steadies after Fall as Middle East Uncertainty Persists

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil steadied on Wednesday, supported by OPEC+ cuts and uncertainty over what may happen next in the Middle East conflict, although an outlook for ample supply next year added downward pressure.

Crude fell more than 4% to a near two-week low on Tuesday in response to a weaker demand outlook and after a media report said Israel would not strike Iranian nuclear and oil sites, easing fears of supply disruptions.

Brent crude oil futures were down 33 cents, or 0.4%, at $73.92 a barrel by 1110 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures lost 38 cents, or 0.5%, to $70.20, according to Reuters.

Still, concern about an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah persists. OPEC+ supply curbs remain in place until December when some members are scheduled to start unwinding one layer of cuts.

"We would be somewhat surprised if the geopolitical risk premium has disappeared for the time being," said Norbert Ruecker of Julius Baer.

"We see the market heading towards a supply surplus by 2025," he added.

On the demand side, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the International Energy Agency this week cut their 2024 global oil demand growth forecasts, with China accounting for the bulk of the downgrades.

Economic stimulus in China has failed to give oil prices much support. China may raise an additional 6 trillion yuan ($850 billion) from special treasury bonds over three years to stimulate a sagging economy, local media reported.

"Monetary and fiscal efforts to revive the Chinese economy are proving a damp squib," said Tamas Varga at oil broker PVM.

Coming up is the latest US oil inventory data. The American Petroleum Institute's report is due later on Wednesday, followed by the government's figures on Thursday. Both reports are published a day later than normal following a federal holiday.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected crude stockpiles rose by about 1.8 million barrels in the week to Oct. 11.