Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Authority has revealed plans to launch three new airlines, adding to the Kingdom’s growing aviation ecosystem alongside Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, and the recently introduced Riyadh Air. The announcement was made by Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin during the Cityscape Global conference in Riyadh, marking a major step toward strengthening the Kingdom’s global connectivity.
Low-Cost Carrier Based in Dammam
One of the new airlines will operate as a low-cost carrier headquartered at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The carrier aims to deploy a fleet of 45 aircraft by 2030, servicing 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, with a target of transporting 10 million passengers annually.
New Airline in Madinah for Religious Tourism
A second airline will be established in Madinah, focusing on religious-tourism routes with direct access to the holy city. The initiative complements major infrastructure projects supporting pilgrims, including the high-speed rail link between Madinah and Jeddah.
Third Airline Under Development
Details surrounding the third airline—its name, operational base, and launch timeline—remain undisclosed. The new carrier forms part of a broader aviation expansion strategy designed to reshape Saudi Arabia’s travel landscape.
Strengthening the Kingdom’s Global Aviation Hub
The announcement follows Saudi Arabia’s record milestone of handling 128 million passengers in 2024. The expansion underscores the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading aviation and travel hub, supporting Vision 2030 goals to boost tourism, global mobility, and economic diversification.
