NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan travellers can now fly directly to Saudi Arabia as Flynas, the Middle East’s leading low-cost airline, launches flights connecting Nairobi and Riyadh.
The inaugural flight took off on Wednesday, October 2, marking the first-ever direct link between Kenya’s capital and Saudi Arabia’s economic hub.
The airline will operate an Airbus A320neo with 174 seats, flying three times a week between Nairobi, East Africa’s commercial centre, and Riyadh.
Nairobi becomes Flynas’ fifth destination in Sub-Saharan Africa after Addis Ababa, Djibouti, Asmara, and Entebbe.
Speaking ahead of the inaugural flight, Flynas Chief Commercial Officer Stefan Magera said the route reflects the airline’s growth strategy and commitment to supporting tourism, business, and trade between the two countries.
“Nairobi and Riyadh were not connected previously, but we are now bridging that gap. The market response has been very positive, and pre-bookings indicate strong demand. We are confident this route will succeed,” Magera said.
The direct flights are expected to make it easier for Kenyan travellers to visit Saudi Arabia for leisure, business, and religious trips, including Umrah and Hajj.
Travel time between the two capitals has been cut to four hours, a convenience that could also boost trade and investment ties.
Saudi Arabia has been deepening economic engagement with Kenya, targeting key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and mining, with strategic investments at the Port of Lamu.
Institutions such as the Saudi Export-Import Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) are partnering with Kenya, while Saudi firms explore collaborations following recent trade missions.
Kenya exports tea, coffee, flowers, and fresh produce to Saudi Arabia, while the kingdom supplies oil, petrochemicals, and manufactured goods.
Experts expect direct flights to facilitate faster business exchanges and expand trade volumes.
Kenya Airports Authority Chairman Caleb Kositany highlighted the importance of partnerships in promoting tourism and business.
“Nairobi is a favourite destination, and we intend to fully capitalise on that. We have ambitious plans to upgrade infrastructure at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other airports to make Kenya more competitive regionally and globally,” Kositany said.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Kenya Khaled Al Salman described the route as a “gateway of strategic importance” that will enhance trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
With direct flights now operational, analysts predict an uptick in Saudi visitors to Kenya, who numbered just 1,920 last year.
Leisure and holiday travel dominate the Middle Eastern tourism profile, and the new air link could significantly increase arrivals from Riyadh and other Gulf cities.
