flynas announces direct flights linking Riyadh and Nairobi from October 2
flynas, the Middle East’s leading low-cost carrier, has announced the launch of direct flights between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Nairobi, Kenya, starting October 2, 2025.
The airline will operate three weekly flights on the new route, strengthening travel, trade and tourism ties between the two countries and positioning Nairobi as a strategic hub for East Africa’s growing connectivity with the Middle East.
The announcement comes as part of flynas’ broader expansion strategy in Africa, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to develop the aviation sector, boost tourism and expand the Kingdom’s global connections. Nairobi, being the largest economy in East and Central Africa and a renowned tourism destination, is expected to play a pivotal role in linking the two regions.
The new flights will offer Kenyan travellers direct access to Saudi Arabia for leisure, business and religious purposes, especially facilitating pilgrimages for Hajj and Umrah. At the same time, the service is expected to attract more Saudi visitors and investors into Kenya, drawn by its scenic landscapes, wildlife and growing business opportunities.
Waleed Alahmed, Director of Corporate Communications at flynas, said the launch was designed to make travel between the two countries more convenient and affordable.
“By connecting Riyadh and Nairobi, we aim to support Kenya’s tourism sector, create new opportunities for businesses on both sides and reinforce flynas’ international network in Africa. This new route is part of our growth and expansion plan under the title ‘We Connect the World to the Kingdom.”
The development also supports Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to link the Kingdom to 250 international destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers and host 150 million tourists annually by 2030. It further complements the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP), designed to ease access to the Two Holy Mosques for millions of Muslims worldwide.
Kenya now joins other African cities already served by flynas, including Addis Ababa, Entebbe and Djibouti, as the airline deepens its network on the continent. Tickets for the new route are available through the flynas website, mobile app, call centre and accredited travel agents.
Since its launch in 2007, flynas has expanded into one of the world’s top budget airlines, operating a fleet of 64 aircraft and over 2,000 weekly flights across 139 routes in 30 countries. To date, the airline has carried more than 80 million passengers. Its reputation for excellence has earned it international recognition, including being named the Best Low-Cost Airline in the Middle East for eight consecutive years by Skytrax and winning the World Travel Awards title of the Middle East’s Leading Low-Cost Airline for eleven years running.
The addition of Nairobi to the flynas network highlights both the growing importance of East Africa in global travel and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding connectivity across the continent while fostering closer economic and cultural relations
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
