Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a brand-new low-cost national airline, which will be based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. This new airline is part of the Kingdom’s broader plan to become a major aviation hub in the region and improve its air travel services.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has granted an operating license to a group of companies that will run the airline. This group is led by Air Arabia, a well-known budget airline based in the United Arab Emirates, and includes Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Holding as key partners.
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of 45 aircraft. It is expected to serve 24 cities within Saudi Arabia and fly to 57 international destinations. Once fully operational, the airline aims to carry up to 10 million passengers each year, which will greatly improve air travel options for people in the region and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air connectivity with the rest of the world.
This new airline is a major part of Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which falls under the country’s Vision 2030 plan. Vision 2030 is a national initiative aimed at reducing Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, developing other sectors of the economy, and improving infrastructure.
By launching this airline, Saudi Arabia hopes to increase tourism, create more jobs, attract investment, and improve its standing in the global transport and logistics industry. It also reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to offer more affordable travel options, connect more cities by air, and make traveling easier for both residents and international visitors.
