Swissport and flynas, the Middle East’s leading low-cost carrier, have announced a long-term strategic commercial and financial partnership that aims to strengthen Swissport’s position in Saudi Arabia whilst supporting the Kingdom’s wider ambitions to become a global aviation hub.
Under a five-year agreement, Swissport Saudi Arabia will become flynas’ exclusive ground handling partner across its entire Saudi Arabian network, and flynas will acquire a 10% equity stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia, retaining an option to increase its holding to up to 20% in the future.
The partnership is expected to expand Swissport’s operations in the Kingdom, bringing its share of Saudi Arabia’s ground handling market to approximately 40% whilst reinforcing Swissport’s role as a key contributor to the country’s Vision 2030 aviation strategy and providing a platform for continued growth.
One of the fastest-growing airlines in the Middle East; flynas has increased its capacity by more than 60% between 2019 and 2024. In 2025, it carried 15.8 million passengers, up 7% year-on-year. In July 2026, the cmpany confirmed orders for five Airbus A330neo and 20 A321neo aircraft, bringing its confirmed Airbus orders to 235 of a total orderbook of 280 aircraft.
Under Vision 2030; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has committed to investing over 100 billion USD in aviation infrastructure and ecosystem development. According to recent data from the IATA, the sector contributed approximately 90.6 billion USD to the Saudi economy in 2023, equivalent to 8.5% of GDP, while supporting more than 1.4 million jobs.
Warwick Brady, President & CEO of Swissport International, said:This partnership marks a major milestone for Swissport in Saudi Arabia.
It significantly strengthens our scale and competitive position in the Middle East's largest and fastest-growing aviation market and reflects our long-term commitment to the success and continued development of the Kingdom's aviation sector. Our global track record in safety, operational excellence, digital transformation and workforce development provides the foundation required to support flynas’ expansion.
By combining our operational expertise and technological capabilities with flynas's ambitious growth plans, we are building a long-term partnership that supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while delivering safe, reliable and high-quality aviation services to millions of passengers in the years ahead.
