Saudi Arabian low-cost airline Flynas will expand into two more countries in the Middle East as part of its plans to become the region’s largest discount carrier.

According to a Bloomberg report, Flynas would seek Air Operator Certificates in two unnamed countries as it looks to double the scale of its operations.

Riyadh-based Flynas is one of two low-cost carriers operating in the kingdom, along with the Jeddah-based Flyadeal.

Flynas will increase its number of jets on order to 250 under the plans, Bloomberg said.

The kingdom is undergoing aggressive aviation industry expansion, with a new airline, RIA, announced last year, as well as an expansion of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH).

Existing low-cost carriers in the region which could face competition from the Flynas expansion include the UAE’s FlyDubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. 

(Writing by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Daniel Luiz)

imogen.lillywhite@lseg.com