flynas, Emirates Expand Interline Partnership via Dubai

Emirates and flynas signed an expanded two-way interline partnership on May 7, 2024, on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, opening up more travel choices for flynas customers through connections across Emirates’ global network. The agreement was signed by Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim and flynas Group CEO and Managing Director Bander Almohanna, in the presence of senior representatives from both airlines.

Context and Background

The new arrangement builds on an existing interline agreement under which Emirates customers have benefited from enhanced connectivity through four Saudi gateways: Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam. From those points, travellers can reach more than 15 domestic destinations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the added convenience of single ticket itineraries, onward booking and coordinated baggage transfers.

By converting the arrangement into a bilateral partnership, the two carriers extend those same practical benefits to flynas customers, who will be able to connect through any of Emirates’ gateways in the Kingdom to a select roster of onward destinations on Emirates’ network via Dubai. The development reflects the deepening commercial ties between Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing low-cost aviation sector and one of the world’s most connected international carriers.

Key Details

The signing took place during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a leading regional travel and tourism trade event that brings together airlines, tourism authorities and hospitality groups. Attending the ceremony were Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, flynas Chairman Ayed Al Jeaid, and other senior executives from both organisations.

Almohanna said: “We are quite pleased to offer more choices to our customers through Emirates’ wide network. Once the expanded interline partnership is activated, customers will be able to book their travel on the flynas website, through online travel agencies as well as with local travel agents.”

Kazim said: “The existing flynas links provide our customers with an array of possibilities to travel smoothly across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in particular to business hubs and emerging leisure and cultural destinations. Connecting our networks solidifies our commitment to offering travellers in Saudi Arabia access to even more destinations and helping them benefit from unique travel options. The expansion of our interline agreement demonstrates our commitment to Saudi Arabia, and this is only the beginning. We look forward to exploring more opportunities to widen the scope of our partnership in the future.”

International Impact

Under the expanded arrangement, flynas customers will be able to connect across any of Emirates’ gateways in the Kingdom to onward destinations in the Far East, West Asia and Indian Ocean, and Europe, with Dubai serving as the connecting hub. For international travellers, the agreement also strengthens inbound access to Saudi Arabia’s business centres and its growing portfolio of leisure, heritage and cultural destinations.

The practical effect is a wider choice of routings, simpler booking through a single itinerary, and smoother transfers between the two airlines. For a Saudi carrier focused on value and convenience, access to Emirates’ intercontinental network represents a meaningful extension of reach without requiring the operation of long-haul aircraft.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives and the ambitions of the Kingdom’s National Aviation Strategy, which aims to expand connectivity, raise passenger numbers and position Saudi Arabia as a leading global aviation and tourism hub. Enhanced links through Dubai complement Saudi efforts to attract international visitors and to give Saudi travellers more direct options to world markets.

As the Kingdom continues to modernise its transport infrastructure and broaden its tourism offering, cooperation between national carriers and international partners remains central to that progress. The Emirates-flynas expansion reflects a shared, forward-looking commitment to connectivity, and both airlines have indicated that further opportunities to widen their partnership will be explored in the future.

20 Questions

Q1. Who signed the expanded interline partnership?

A1. The agreement was signed by Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim and flynas Group CEO and Managing Director Bander Almohanna. The signing took place in Dubai on May 7, 2024, on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market.

Q2. What is an airline interline partnership?

A2. An interline partnership is a commercial agreement between two airlines that allows passengers to book a single ticket itinerary across both carriers’ networks. It typically includes coordinated connections and baggage transfers, expanding destination choices without requiring a full merger or codeshare arrangement.

Q3. Where was the agreement signed?

A3. It was signed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during the Arabian Travel Market, a major regional travel and tourism trade exhibition. The event brings together airlines, tourism bodies and hospitality companies from across the Middle East and beyond.

Q4. What does the expansion mean for flynas customers?

A4. flynas customers will be able to connect through any of Emirates’ gateways in Saudi Arabia to onward destinations on Emirates’ network via Dubai. This gives Saudi travellers a broader range of international travel options under a convenient single itinerary.

Q5. Which Saudi gateways are part of the arrangement?

A5. The four Saudi gateways are Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam. These cities connect passengers to more than fifteen domestic points across the Kingdom, as well as to Emirates’ wider international network through Dubai.

Q6. How many domestic Saudi points does the existing interline cover?

A6. The existing interline arrangement provides connectivity to more than fifteen domestic points within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This supports travel between major cities and regional destinations for both business and leisure passengers.

Q7. Which international regions become more accessible?

A7. flynas customers can connect to a select roster of onward destinations in the Far East, West Asia and Indian Ocean, and Europe. These connections are made through Dubai, Emirates’ home hub and a leading global aviation centre.

Q8. What is the Arabian Travel Market?

A8. The Arabian Travel Market is a leading travel and tourism trade event held in Dubai. It gathers airlines, hotels, tourism authorities and travel technology companies to showcase destinations and sign commercial agreements that shape regional and international travel.

Q9. Who else attended the signing ceremony?

A9. Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum attended, along with flynas Chairman Ayed Al Jeaid. Other senior representatives from both airlines were also present at the ceremony in Dubai.

Q10. What did Bander Almohanna say about the partnership?

A10. Almohanna said flynas is pleased to offer more choices to customers through Emirates’ wide network. He added that once activated, customers can book travel on the flynas website, through online travel agencies and with local travel agents.

Q11. What did Adnan Kazim say about the agreement?

A11. Kazim said the existing flynas links offer customers many possibilities to travel smoothly across Saudi Arabia, including business hubs and emerging leisure and cultural destinations. He described the expansion as demonstrating Emirates’ commitment to Saudi Arabia and said it is only the beginning.

Q12. How can customers book flights under the partnership?

A12. Once the expanded interline is activated, customers will be able to book their travel on the flynas website, through online travel agencies, and with local travel agents. This provides multiple convenient booking channels for travellers.

Q13. What is flynas?

A13. flynas is a Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier headquartered in Riyadh. It operates domestic and regional services and has been expanding its network and fleet as part of the Kingdom’s broader aviation growth strategy under Vision 2030.

Q14. What is Emirates?

A14. Emirates is an international airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It operates one of the world’s largest long-haul networks, connecting passengers across six continents through its hub, and is widely recognised for its global connectivity and service standards.

Q15. Why is the partnership now described as bilateral?

A15. Previously, the interline mainly benefited Emirates customers travelling within Saudi Arabia. The expanded arrangement makes the partnership two-way, extending the same connectivity, single ticket itineraries and baggage transfer benefits to flynas customers as well.

Q16. How does the agreement support Saudi tourism?

A16. By improving connections between Saudi gateways and international destinations, the agreement helps bring more visitors into the Kingdom and makes it easier for Saudi residents to travel abroad. This supports growth in business, leisure and cultural tourism.

Q17. What is Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy?

A17. The National Aviation Strategy aims to expand the Kingdom’s connectivity, increase passenger numbers and develop its airports and carriers. It supports Vision 2030 goals of positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global aviation and tourism hub.

Q18. What benefits do single ticket itineraries offer?

A18. Single ticket itineraries allow passengers to book connecting flights across both airlines in one transaction. This simplifies travel, provides coordinated baggage transfers and reduces the complexity of managing separate bookings on multi-carrier journeys.

Q19. What role does Dubai play in the partnership?

A19. Dubai serves as the connecting hub for flynas customers travelling to destinations in the Far East, West Asia and Indian Ocean, and Europe. Its extensive air links make it a practical gateway for onward international travel.

Q20. What does the future hold for the partnership?

A20. Emirates’ Adnan Kazim said the expansion is only the beginning and that further opportunities to widen the scope of the partnership will be explored. Both carriers have signalled interest in deepening cooperation to benefit travellers in Saudi Arabia.

---