RIYADH, 22 May 2007 — The National Air Services (NAS Air), the first budget carrier in the Kingdom, has announced the addition of Riyadh-Jizan route to its ever expanding domestic network, as part of its ambitious plan to cover four domestic destinations within the first two months of its operation. The new frequency now caters to the growing demand of domestic travelers on Riyadh-Jizan route because more than 30 percent of Jizan’s local population work outside the Jizan region.
This is in addition to the increasing tourism traffic witnessed by 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 visitors will have a positive impact on the social and economic life of the city and the adjoining areas.
“Nas Air is providing an unmatched service in the domestic aviation market, with it’s low cost travel solutions, which are a blend of high quality, safety and low prices”, said Griffiths. He added that the prices are fixed 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 start at 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 choose to serve the people of the Kingdom. He said that Nas Air has received very good response from people, 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 of Saudi Arabia. A first for the airline, Nas Air began flights from Riyadh to Madinah on March 31 this year.
Meanwhile, NAS Air has ordered three long-range Gulfstream G450 business-jet aircraft, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation said yesterday.
The deal includes options for 17 more G450s, which if exercised will bring the contract’s value to about $700 million, Gulfstream said in a statement, without giving further details.
Gulfstream is a unit of US General Dynamics Corp. Owned by a group of private Saudi investors, NAS started operations in 1999 and has evolved into a diversified aviation services provider in the Middle East. It offers fractional ownership and leasing options of jets and started a low-cost subsidiary in February.
NAS said in December it would spend $2 billion to buy 75 planes, including business jets, and create a fleet of 100 by 2010.
