Saudi Arabia’s New Low-Cost Airline

Saudi Arabia is officially launching a new national low-cost airline, designed to operate from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. This initiative marks a significant step in the Kingdom’s evolving aviation landscape. Supported by partnerships with Air Arabia, Nesma Group, and KUN Holding, the airline aims to revolutionize air connectivity within the Eastern Province.

The airline was chosen through a competitive bidding process organized by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Its focus will encompass affordability, network growth, and regional development with a strategy to serve 10 million passengers yearly.

81 Destinations, 45 Aircraft & 2,400 Jobs

By the year 2030, the airline intends to establish connections to 81 destinations, which include 24 domestic and 57 international locations, using a fleet of 45 aircraft. This project is expected to create over 2,400 direct jobs in the aviation sector, thereby offering new opportunities for local talent and aviation-related businesses. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to diversify its economy and enhance tourism.

Adel Al Ali, the CEO of Air Arabia, emphasizes this partnership as a pivotal achievement in their regional expansion plan, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective travel experience. Additionally, Faisal Bin Saleh Al-Turki and Mohamed Bin Nabil Hefni stress that this is not just about establishing an airline but about fostering economic growth and positioning Saudi Arabia as a premier global tourism destination.

As the Kingdom invests in air transport to cater to the increasing travel demand, this new airline from Dammam is poised to reshape Saudi Arabia’s aviation landscape.