NAIROBI, Kenya– Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier flynas will launch three weekly direct flights between Riyadh and Nairobi starting October 2, 2025, marking its entry into Kenya’s aviation market.
Saudi’s budget carrier says the new service is expected to enhance connectivity between East Africa and the Middle East, supporting both tourism and trade flows.
For Kenyan travellers, the route provides direct access to Riyadh for business, leisure, and religious travel, while opening up opportunities for more Saudi visitors and investors into Kenya.
“By connecting Riyadh and Nairobi, we aim to make travel more convenient and affordable, support Kenya’s tourism sector, and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides,” said Waleed Alahmed, flynas Director of Corporate Communications.
The Riyadh–Nairobi service is part of flynas’ broader expansion in Africa.
The airline already operates flights to Addis Ababa, Entebbe, and Djibouti, and the addition of Kenya, East Africa’s largest economy, highlights growing interest from Gulf carriers in tapping the region’s fast-rising demand for air travel.
Kenya has become an attractive destination for Gulf carriers thanks to its expanding middle class, strong business links, and growing appeal as a tourist destination.
Analysts say the entry of flynas could drive increased competition on Middle East routes, which are currently dominated by Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Saudia.
The expansion also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which seeks to connect the Kingdom to 250 international destinations and handle 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
Industry experts note that such moves are designed to cement Riyadh as a global aviation hub while broadening trade and investment ties across regions.
For Nairobi, the move could strengthen the city’s positioning as a hub for both regional and intercontinental traffic, with added capacity expected to benefit both passengers and cargo.
Tickets for the Riyadh–Nairobi flights will be available through the airline’s website, mobile app, and accredited travel agents, with the first flight set for early October.
