The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced that a consortium comprising Air Arabia, Nesma Group and Kun Investment Holding has won the competition to establish a new national low-cost airline based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, with majority Saudi ownership.
A press release published on GACA's account on X explained that this step aims to enhance the Eastern Province's domestic and international air connectivity and achieve the targets of the Aviation Program stemming from the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
The announcement came during an official ceremony held today, Sunday, under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Emir of the Eastern Province, which included the launch of the new identity and master plan of King Fahd International Airport, alongside the master plans of Al-Ahsa and Al Qaisumah airports, and the opening of a series of integrated development projects with a total value exceeding SAR 1.6 billion.
According to the authority, the new airline will operate flights to 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, targeting the transport of about 10 million passengers annually to and from Dammam airport by 2030, in addition to operating a fleet of 45 aircraft and providing more than 2,400 direct jobs, boosting local employment opportunities and supporting gross domestic product.
The project is part of the authority's efforts to provide a competitive environment that offers travelers more options, raises the quality of services, and stimulates economic and tourism growth in the Eastern Province, while contributing to consolidating the Kingdom's position as an international aviation hub and a global logistics center.
The authority stressed that the winning consortium will, in the coming phase, complete the procedures required to obtain the economic and technical licenses, a basic requirement before the start of operations, which are expected in 2026, noting that the authority will continue its supervisory and regulatory role in monitoring operational and financial performance and service quality after operations begin.
To view the post on GACA's account on X, click here.
