Saudi low-cost airline flynas has launched direct flights between Riyadh and
Nairobi, marking a new connection between Saudi Arabia and Kenya.
The airline began operations on Thursday,
October 2, with three direct flights per week linking King Khalid International
Airport in Riyadh with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
The new route expands flynas’ footprint in East Africa, where it already
serves Addis Ababa, Entebbe, and Djibouti.
The inaugural flight was marked by ceremonies in
both Riyadh and Nairobi. At King Khalid International Airport, the launch was
attended by Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia,
Mohamed Ruwange, officials from flynas, and representatives from Riyadh
Airports Company.
Passengers on the first outbound flight to Nairobi received giveaways.
In Nairobi, a reception was held at Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport, attended by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Kenya,
Khalid Al-Salman, along with flynas officials.
The airline also opened a new office in Nairobi as part of its entry into
the Kenyan market.
Kenya, the largest economy in East and Central Africa, is a major hub for trade, tourism, and aviation. The new connection is expected to boost travel between the two countries.
Kenya offers diverse attractions such as wildlife safaris and scenic
landscapes, while Saudi Arabia remains a key destination for business,
religious travel, and tourism.
Aviation analysts note that the launch comes
as both Kenya and Saudi Arabia look to deepen ties in transport and tourism.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is implementing its National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect the country to 250 international destinations and accommodate 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
The plan is also
linked to Vision 2030, a broader economic diversification initiative.
flynas operates more than 2,000 weekly flights
across 139 routes in 30 countries. Since its establishment in 2007, it has
carried over 80 million passengers.
The airline has been recognized by
global aviation rating agency Skytrax as the Best Low-Cost Airline in the
Middle East for eight consecutive years.
The new Riyadh–Nairobi flights are expected to provide Kenyan travelers with greater access to the Middle East while giving Saudi visitors a direct link to Nairobi’s growing tourism and business opportunities.
In 2024, Kenya received 2.39 million international tourists,
a 14.7% increase over 2023. But that number also includes many source countries
beyond Saudi Arabia.
Specifically from the Middle East, while it is mentioned
that Kenya had about 1,920 visitors from Saudi Arabia in a recent year, this is
a very small number compared to total foreign arrivals
