Budget Airline Nas Air launches in Saudi Arabia
Nas Air, the first no-frills budget airline in Saudi Arabia flew for the first time February 17. This first flight, basically for media and publicity purposes, was led literally by the CEO, who is a trained pilot.
The ticket fares offered by Nas Air reportedly have the potential to be dirt cheap. I say potential, because it depends how early you book. The earlier, the better. Also, they are supposedly offering good discounts to those who purchase online at FlyNas.com.
Nas Air will officially open to all Arabians on February 25, 2007 with flights offered on one of its three Airbus A320s. Nas Air has big plans though, and expects to become a huge player in the budget airline market. They hope to have eight planes in their fleet in a year, and plan to service 23 Saudi Arabian destinations in two years. After that, they want to go international and will have an IPO. Yeah, like I said, big plans.
This happens to remind me a lot of Jet Blue and Emirates. Jet Blue, because of their urgency to grow and aggressiveness as a young airline. Emirates because Nas Air is exploiting (in a good way) an untapped middle-class Middle Eastern market.
If Nas Air doesn’t pull a downfall like their US rapper counterpart (sorry for the pop culture reference) they could become the next RyanAir or easyJet. Watch out Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Budget airline might be unsuccessful in Middle East world . Because people are too rich to use budget things!
I think there is still somewhat of a middle class deomographic somwehere in the Middle East or else budget Nas Airline wouldn't have took the plunge.
It'll be interesting to see if they see some success and more budget carriers follow their lead. Only time will tell.
I am currently living in Saudi Arabia and have taken advantage of two of the low cost operators: Air Arabia and Sama. Both offer good service and have fairly reliable departure times. Both are usually booked to capacity, with both nationals and expats. I believe it is incorrect to stereotype everyone living in the Middle East as wealthy as these are the elite few. The majority of the population, just as in most countries, is middle class, and those of us working here, particularly with the decline of the US dollar can not be considered wealthy. Competition is an excellent thing and should be encouraged.
Budget air fares are really good. Its the need of the hour. Those rich people can afford anything from the First Class or Business Class fare to expensive Five star to seven star flight and stay, but where the Middle Class will go, as Middle Class people are the most crunched and sandwitched entity. So the Low Budget Airlines and airfares must be encouraged, But I would like to make one comment is that in Low Budget, the Airline doesnot want to give even a glass of water (FREE) to the traveller, one has to buy it. I think this is bit killing. At least they can offer certain drinks, some sandwitches or even small burgers for reasonable prices. Once I travelled to Dammam from Jeddah on low fare, where even water was sold by the crew for 5 SR. Please dont be so cruel. Have some Mercy. AND offer to your esteemed passengers( as claimed by none other but you)atleast a glass of Water and tea or coffee, atleast. Thanks. Hope you will do something about it.
Thanks again. But I appreciate your low fares. Thanks again. Keep it up. But please think about my suggestion. It will not cost the Airlines any fortune, but at the same time the Travellers will be happy and praying for you and your airlines.
Thanks.