flynas Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal with SITA

flynas, a hybrid carrier from Saudi Arabia, has chosen air transport IT specialist SITA, to provide a range of passenger check-in services.

The five-year, multi-million dollar agreement includes an end-to-end check-in solution incorporating SITA’s Departure Control Services (DCS), SITA’s private IP VPN telecommunications infrastructure, Type B Messaging Service and Service Management.

Launched in 2007, flynas has successfully operated over 209,000 flights carrying more than 15 million passengers, a number that has steadily grown over the years.

In 2014, flynas carried 4.5 million passengers, a significant increase on its 3.3 million passengers in 2013.

The airline has a young fleet of 24 aircraft, operating nearly 950 weekly flights to 25 destinations both within and outside Saudi Arabia.

Paul Byrne, CEO of flynas, said, “flynas has successfully managed rapid growth of over 30% in 2014, and we aim to set a new standard of efficiency for hybrid and budget travel in the region. By having SITA provide all of our check-in services and manage them centrally, we have generated immediate cost savings and can deliver on our promise to provide the lowest fares, on-time flights and friendly service. This new all-in-one model also facilitates more accurate budget planning and easier financial forecasting for new stations as we continue to grow.”

SITA DCS will provide all current and future flynas destinations with fast and efficient automated passenger check-in, boarding pass distribution and bag tag printing, covering both check-in counters and self-service, and the required connectivity and infrastructure solutions. The backbone of this service is SITA’s private IP VPN network and SITA’s Airport Hub, a network that connects the majority of airports around the world in a secure and optimized design.

SITA’s Type B Messaging Service sits at the core of air transport industry communications and serves as the standard for many aviation protocols. This service will enable flynas to directly connect to more than 2,400 members of the air transport community. And SITA’s Service Management team, including dedicated aviation IT specialists and engineers, will help ensure business continuity and manage all operational aspects based on best-in-class standards.

Hani El-Assaad, SITA President Middle East, India and Africa, said, “SITA’s check-in services will enable flynas to process passengers more quickly, facilitating a more seamless journey. At the same time, they will simplify the airline’s operations, enabling flynas to focus on its growing business.”

SITA supplies CUTE (Common Use Terminal Equipment) at all Saudi Arabian airports, as well as to the majority of the airports in the region.