Air Arabia wins bid to launch Saudi low-cost airline in Dammam

Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced that a consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia, along with Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Holding, has won the bid to operate a new carrier.

The new airline aims to enhance air connectivity for the Eastern Region, and increase seat capacity. Image: Air Arabia

The new national low-cost airline will serve operations based out of King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The airline will begin operations with a fleet of 45 aircraft, covering 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, and aims to serve 10 million passengers annually.

The Kingdom’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh al-Jasser said that the new airline will “contribute to enhancing competition and create over 2,400 job opportunities.”

Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer of Air Arabia, said: “We are proud to have been selected by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to launch a new national low-cost airline headquartered in Dammam. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Authority for its trust in us. As a leading low-cost airline operator in the region, this achievement represents a key milestone that reaffirms our commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Kingdom’s aviation sector. Through our proven economic model and regional expertise, this new partnership will deliver a reliable and value-driven travel experience for passengers and will contribute to economic growth and job creation in the Eastern Province and beyond.”

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