In a major move to expand its operation and serve passengers in world-class style and comfort, Saudi Arabia’s National Air Services (NAS) has ordered three long-range Gulfstream G450 business-jet aircraft.
The order to acquire new aircrafts comes in line with the NAS Air’s ambitious expansion plan and the recent announcement to operate to new destinations across the Kingdom with an aim to cater to the progressively increasing demand of air travelers.
The deal, according to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, includes options for 17 more G450s, which if exercised will bring the contract’s value to about $700 million. Gulfstream is a unit of US General Dynamics Corp. GD.N.
Owned by a group of private Saudi investors, NAS has made a name in the regional aviation sector. It also caught the headlines when it started operations in Saudi Arabia. It has also evolved into a diversified aviation services provider in the Middle East. Nas Air, the first budget carrier in the Kingdom, has also announced the addition of the Riyadh-Jizan route to its ever-expanding domestic network.
This is part of its ambitious plan to cover five domestic destinations within the first two months of its operation.
The new frequency now caters to the growing demand of domestic travelers on the Riyadh-Jizan route as more than 30 percent of Jizan’s local population work outside the Jizan region.
This is in addition to the increasing tourism traffic to the area, of late.
The Presidency of Civil Aviation records show that total passenger traffic at King Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz Airport in Jizan has witnessed an impressive increase, exceeding 815,000 passengers in 2005. The Jizan airport is expected to maintain five percent growth rate in terms of passengers’ arrivals and departures in the coming years.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch of airline’s expansion plan, Nas Air CEO Peter Griffiths said, “The services provided by this budget carrier offers travelers more options with its competitive prices that cater to all segments of society.”
The increase in flights to Jizan and the increase in passenger loads will have a positive impact on the social and economic life of the city and the adjoining areas of Jizan. “Nas Air is providing an unmatched service in the domestic aviation market, with its low cost travel solutions, which are a blend of high quality, safety and low prices,” said Griffiths.
He added that the prices are limited at SR320 one-way trip to Jizan. Passengers traveling from Jizan to Riyadh can benefit from the special launch fare promotion of SR49 if they make their reservations before the end of May.
After the promotional period is over, the tickets cost range will be between SR139 to SR320 one way. This is a significant decrease in the market prices. The Nas Air CEO said that the airline firmly believes in people as its greatest asset and the airline chooses to serve the people of the Kingdom.
He said that Nas Air has received very good response from the local travelers and frequent flyers, who have booked flights through Sept. 30 this year.
Nas Air inaugurated its first Riyadh-Jeddah flight on Feb. 17 this year, heralding a new era of aviation history in Saudi Arabia. A first for the airline, Nas Air began flights from Riyadh to Madinah on March 31 this year. Griffiths said the high level of bookings indicated the acceptance of the new private airline’s services.
He said Nas Air is planning to increase its domestic destinations to 23 by the end of the second year of operations before launching international flights.
”The market is huge, with 24.6 million persons living in Saudi Arabia in addition to 1.4 billion who come here at some time during their lives,” he said, referring to Muslims who come to Saudi Arabia every year to perform the Haj and Umrah.
Hence, this airline is gearing up fully to cater to the growing passenger loads for all seasons, said the airline officials. They said that Nas Air is offering world-class services to its customers.