Saudi Arabian budget carrier flynas has made a pitch to poach Saudi staff working for Qatar Airways, taking advantage of the ongoing rift between Qatar and its Gulf neighbours, said a report.

In a tweet on Monday, the carrier said it “welcomes Saudi employees working on Qatar Airways Airbus A320, and invites anyone with the desire to join flynas and work among its crew”, said a report in The Economic Times.

Last week, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the Gulf state of backing terrorist groups.

The three GCC countries have closed all ports of entry between them and Qatar, including airspace, roads, ports, and territorial waters.

A ban on flights to Qatar by the three Gulf states was also imposed, as part of punitive measures to destabilize the region, the report said.

“The loss of access to the local Saudi and UAE markets is significant, irrespective of transit/overflying access. Saudi and the UAE are Qatar Airways’ two single largest markets – bigger than even India,” CAPA said in a report last week.

As Qatar Airways faces difficulties Flynas is looking to expand in its domestic market and abroad.

The carrier placed an order to buy 80 Airbus A320neo narrow body jets worth $8.6bn in January with purchasing options for a further 40, it said.