Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline, flynas, has entered into a partnership with the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company (VCM), which is backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Saudi Tadawul Group. This collaboration focuses on carbon offsetting, environmental conservation, and sustainability, aligning with the Kingdom’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
The agreement was formalized by Riham ElGizy, CEO of VCM, and Waleed Ahmed, director of Corporate Communications at flynas. It aims to lay the groundwork for cooperation between the two entities, establishing conditions for participation in the voluntary carbon market, including access to the carbon credit trading platform set to launch in November 2024.
Commitment to sustainability
Waleed Ahmed emphasized that this partnership supports flynas’ sustainability strategy by implementing initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy. He noted that flynas is set to introduce a voluntary carbon offset program that will involve passengers on both domestic and international flights. This collaboration with VCM will enhance flynas’ sustainability efforts and ensure alignment with national objectives to lower carbon emissions, fulfilling the Kingdom’s commitments under the climate agreement.
Climate action goals
Michael Blackwell, COO of the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market, highlighted the organization’s dedication to advancing climate action and improving livelihoods through the maintenance of high standards in voluntary carbon markets. He stated that the agreement is a significant milestone in achieving the Kingdom’s climate targets and reaffirmed their commitment to reaching net zero by 2060 while channeling funding into climate projects.
VCM’s mission is to establish a global voluntary carbon market centered in Saudi Arabia, prioritizing high-quality carbon credits and fostering meaningful climate action. The company is developing an ecosystem that includes a carbon credit trading platform and advisory services to assist businesses in understanding carbon reduction strategies.
Global sustainability initiatives
flynas has also committed to the United Nations Global Compact, integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its strategy, culture, and operations, making it the first low-cost carrier in the Middle East to join this major corporate sustainability initiative. Additionally, flynas has teamed up with the United Nations World Tourism Organization to enhance its contributions to sustainable global tourism.
Waste management collaboration
The airline has further partnered with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) to explore collaborative opportunities and optimal recycling solutions for managing waste, including oils, plastics, and batteries.
Read more: Saudi’s flynas launches first direct flight between Riyadh and Egypt’s El-Alamein
Enhanced travel options
Last month, Zayed International Airport (AUH) celebrated the arrival of flynas’s inaugural flight, marking the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s first low-cost airline’s direct services from Jeddah (JED) and Medina (MED) to Abu Dhabi. This strategic expansion of routes greatly enhances travel connectivity between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, responding to the growing demand for travel between these key markets.
Moreover, the introduction of flynas at AUH offers travelers a wider selection of destinations and greater flexibility, as reported by WAM. This new route is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers, further boosting tourism and trade between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The launch of flynas’s service to Abu Dhabi signifies another milestone in Zayed International Airport’s development into a major global aviation hub. With continuous network expansion and collaborations with airlines like flynas, Abu Dhabi Airports reaffirms its commitment to providing seamless connectivity to essential destinations for passengers.
Welcome at Sharjah Airport
In September, Sharjah Airport also welcomed the inaugural flights of flynas, adding to the range of carriers offering scheduled services to and from the airport in the UAE. This addition strengthens the international aviation network via Sharjah Airport, addressing the increasing passenger traffic and growing air cargo activity, all supported by the airport’s high standards of service and efficiency.
The launch event for flynas’s first flight was attended by Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud Al Qassimi, director of the Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA), along with Sultan Al Khaldi, KSA sales director at flynas, and other key officials from the Sharjah Airport Authority.
flynas plans to operate seven weekly flights from Jeddah to Sharjah Airport and two weekly flights from Medina to Sharjah, utilizing Boeing 737 aircraft.
Furthermore, in September 2024, flynas introduced eight new direct routes between the Kingdom and the UAE. This significant expansion positions flynas as the only Saudi airline servicing the four major airports in the UAE, boosting its flight frequency to over 20 daily flights between the two countries.
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