RIYADH — Saudi low-cost carrier flynas (XY) and Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport have signed an agreement to establish a new airline branded “flynas Syria,” structured as a 51% Syrian / 49% XY joint venture, with operations planned to start in Q4 2026.

flynas says the new carrier aims to operate routes across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and that licensing and operational procedures are being finalized with relevant authorities in accordance with the stated safety and security standards.

The announcement comes as part of a broader package of Saudi–Syrian investment agreements unveiled in Damascus on Feb. 7, 2026, with Reuters reporting that the aviation joint venture is part of a wider set of initiatives tied to infrastructure and connectivity.

flynas also highlighted that it already operates 23 weekly flights from RUH/JED/DMM to DAM, and resumed scheduled service to Damascus on June 5, 2025, positioning the JV as a deeper expansion of its Syria footprint.

The 51/49 ownership split signals a state-led rebuild of civil aviation capacity, while leveraging XY's LCC playbook to scale connectivity faster than a greenfield national carrier. The key variables to watch now are the certification and oversight pathway, fleet sourcing, and which European/African markets get early priority as Syria rebuilds demand and network reliability.