flynas, the Saudi air carrier, announced the graduation of 170 Saudi pilots over the past 18 months as part of its plan to keep pace with the continuous expansion of its fleet and operations. The new group included 123 co-pilots from the “Future Pilots” program and 47 co-pilots promoted to the rank of captain. This achievement follows the airline’s attainment of a 100% Saudization rate for the co-pilot position.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of flynas Bander Almohanna emphasized the airline’s commitment to empowering Saudi talent through specialized programs such as “Future Pilots” and “Future Engineers.” These programs aim to develop the skills of Saudi men and women and prepare them for leadership positions in the aviation sector. Almohanna also highlighted flynas’ outstanding performance in 2024, which included signing the world’s largest aircraft deal with Airbus.
Almohanna revealed an ambitious plan to employ more than 1,000 Saudi pilots over the next five years, coinciding with the goa
l of doubling flynas’ fleet size to 160 aircraft by 2030. In July, flynas signed an agreement to purchase 160 new aircraft from Airbus, making it the largest aircraft buyer in the Middle East with a total of 280 aircraft on order. This expansion will enhance flynas’ ability to achieve the goals of the National Civil Aviation Strategy, support the Pilgrim Experience Program, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Saudis.
Source: Saudi Press Agency