flynas and Swissport sign exclusive ground handling deal in Saudi Arabia

- The partnership includes a five-year ground handling contract at all airports in Saudi Arabia

flynas, the world’s leading low-cost carrier and the first in the Middle East, and Swissport, a global leader in aviation services, have announced an exclusive investment agreement. Under the deal, Swissport Saudi Arabia will become flynas’s exclusive ground handling partner for five years across the airline’s network in the Kingdom. Additionally, flynas will acquire a 10% stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia, with the option to increase its share to up to 20%.

This strategic, long-term commercial partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, strengthening Swissport’s presence and position in the ground handling and air cargo services market at Saudi airports.

The agreement is expected to boost Swissport’s share of the ground handling market in Saudi Arabia to nearly 40%, further establishing it as a leading provider in the Kingdom. It also supports the rapid transformation of the Saudi aviation sector in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

Ayed Aljeaid, Chairman of flynas, said: “The unprecedented expansion of our fleet and route network requires building a comprehensive service ecosystem to support and sustain this growth. Our direct investment in ground handling is a strategic extension of our operations, enhancing our readiness for accelerated growth, improving efficiency, and supporting flynas’s ambitions to strengthen its regional and global leadership.”

Warwick Brady, Chairman of Swissport Saudi Arabia and CEO of Swissport International, said: “This partnership is a major milestone for Swissport in Saudi Arabia, significantly expanding our business and competitive position in the largest and fastest-growing aviation market in the Middle East. It demonstrates our long-term commitment to the success and ongoing development of the Kingdom’s aviation sector. By combining our operational expertise with flynas’s ambitious growth plans, we are building a long-term partnership that supports the objectives of Vision 2030.”

Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas, said: “Our investment as a shareholder in Swissport Saudi Arabia reflects our belief in building a deeper strategic relationship and a partnership based on shared vision and joint investment in the future of Saudi aviation. Swissport is a trusted strategic partner, and our choice aligns fully with our long-term growth plans, given their extensive operational expertise as a global leader in aviation services and their integrated technologies and solutions that enhance operational efficiency and scalability.”

Hamad Alhumaidi, CEO of Swissport Saudi Arabia, commented: “Saudi Vision 2030 aims to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub by developing the civil aviation sector and boosting its competitiveness as a key pillar of economic diversification. flynas is a key driver in achieving the aviation sector’s strategic goals, having achieved the fastest growth rate among airlines in the region. This partnership is a clear enabler for the next phase of strategic growth, leveraging Swissport’s global expertise and integrated solutions to support flynas’s expansion plans. What distinguishes this partnership is the strategic collaboration between both parties; with flynas as a shareholder in Swissport Saudi Arabia, the relationship goes far beyond the traditional service provider-client model.”

Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, making it one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally and establishing the Kingdom as a leading aviation hub in the Middle East. The Kingdom is investing over $100 billion in developing aviation infrastructure and its integrated ecosystem. As the leading low-cost carrier in Saudi Arabia, flynas continues to contribute to these ambitions by expanding its domestic and international network, increasing air travel accessibility, and supporting the growth of leisure and business travel sectors.

In July 2026, flynas confirmed the purchase of 25 new aircraft (five wide-body Airbus A330neo and 20 Airbus A321neo), under existing agreements with Airbus. This brings its total confirmed orders with Airbus to 235 aircraft, out of a total order book of 280, supporting the company’s growth and expansion plans in the coming years.

The partnership between flynas and Swissport underscores both companies’ confidence in the continued growth prospects of the Saudi aviation sector and their joint commitment to operational excellence and world-class services, supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 targets.

flynas, the world’s leading low-cost carrier and the first in the Middle East, is the first airline listed on the Saudi main market (Tadawul). It operates more than 2,000 weekly flights to over 80 domestic and international destinations in 38 countries across 156 routes, and has carried 110 million passengers since its launch in 2007. The airline aims to reach 165 destinations as part of its growth and expansion strategy aligned with Vision 2030.

Aviation connects the world, and Swissport enables this through its integrated airport services. The company serves around 243 million passengers annually, welcomes six million visitors to airport lounges, and handles over five million tons of air cargo across more than 300 airports in 49 countries. With a team of 63,000 aviation professionals, Swissport is the global leader in aviation services, working to develop the airport experience of the future. In Saudi Arabia, Swissport operates at 20 airports and employs over 6,000 aviation specialists, supporting the sector’s rapid growth in the Kingdom.