Dubai: In a significant move aimed at enhancing travel options and connectivity for customers, Emirates and Flynas have announced an expanded two-way interline partnership at the prestigious Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.
Sealing the deal: MoU signing ceremony
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the ATM event by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, and Bander Almohanna, Group CEO & Managing Director of Flynas. The ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries including His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Flynas Chairman Ayed Al Jeaid, along with senior representatives from both airlines.
Enhanced connectivity: Benefits for travelers
Emirates’ existing interline partnership with Flynas already provides travelers with enhanced connectivity via key gateways in Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Jeddah, Medinah, and Dammam – facilitating access to over 15 domestic destinations within the Kingdom. Notably, this arrangement includes the convenience of single-ticket itineraries with seamless onward bookings and baggage transfers.
Expansion into bilateral agreement: Broadening travel horizons
The expansion of the interline partnership into a bilateral agreement signifies a significant step forward. Under the new arrangement, Flynas customers gain access to Emirates’ extensive network, enabling seamless connections from any of the Kingdom’s gateways to a curated selection of onward destinations across the Far East, West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Europe, all facilitated through Dubai.
Paving the way for seamless travel: Future booking channels
Bander Almohanna, CEO & Managing Director of Flynas, expressed satisfaction at the expanded partnership, emphasizing the increased travel choices it affords to Flynas customers. He highlighted that once activated, customers would be able to book their travel seamlessly through various channels including the Flynas website, online travel agencies, and local travel agents.
Commitment to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Supporting tourism growth
The activation of the expanded interline partnership marks a milestone in the airline’s ongoing efforts to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans, particularly in the realm of tourism. Emirates, having played a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s tourism and trade landscape since 1989, has continuously expanded its operations to serve the four gateways with a total of 73 weekly flights, including A380 services to Riyadh and Jeddah.
Emirates' ongoing commitment: Driving inbound tourism
Furthermore, Emirates’ collaboration with partners in Saudi Arabia, such as the 2022 MoU with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), underscores its commitment to driving inbound tourism and attracting diverse segments of travelers to the Kingdom.
As the partnership enters its next phase, travelers can anticipate greater ease and flexibility in planning their journeys, further solidifying Dubai's position as a global travel hub.