RIYADH, 7 December 2006 — National Air Services (NAS), the first newly licensed private airline from Riyadh, has announced that it will start operations in early 2007 with five aircraft as part of its initial fleet.
Taher Agueel, newly appointed CEO of NAS, told Arab News that the fleet strength was expected to reach 18 aircraft by 2010. “Initially, NAS low-cost carrier (LCC) flights will cover 22 Saudi cities during the first year of its operation and will accomplish its goal of covering its 37 domestic routes by the end of 2008.”
Lauding the aviation authorities for their efforts to deregulate the national aviation sector and their confidence in the company’s capabilities, Agueel said the evaluation process of all applicants by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) “set new world class standards in terms of efficiency, transparency and professionalism.”
The CEO underlined the firm commitment of the NAS team to provide commercial services “benchmarked to world class standards.” He pointed out that the passengers will be the ultimate beneficiary of the Kingdom’s liberalization of the civil aviation sector. NAS’ budget carrier will promote a new travel culture in the Kingdom by delivering more choices, value for money and convenience to the Kingdom’s traveling community.
Since its establishment in 1999 by a group of Saudi investors, NAS has become the leading provider of aviation services in the Middle East. Based in Riyadh, it provides a range of innovative aviation services. Currently, NAS has a work force of 700 employees drawn from 37 nationalities, with Saudis comprising 45 percent of its work force.
The products and services offered include NetJets Middle East (fractional aircraft ownership and lease), Al Khayala Airlines which targets business and first class travelers, Aircraft Management Services, Aircraft Charter Services and other novel aviation solutions. The launch of the no-frills carrier is the latest addition to its aviation services.
NAS private aviation fleet in the Middle East comprises more than 33 aircraft under management from global manufacturers, which include Airbus, Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault and Raytheon, he added.