Nas Air has ended the monopoly of Saudi Arabian Airlines by taking over a series of major destinations from the national carrier.

The country’s first budget carrier, NAS operates from Riyadh. It will link the capital to destinations including Dammam, Tabuk, Abha, Qassim and Hail, which Saudi Arabian Airlines ceased to serve from today.

Nas Air agreed with Saudi Arabian Airlines in September to take over several public service obligation routes from the end of October in accordance with the Air Traffic Privatization Act.