Dammam: A consortium comprising Air Arabia, Nesma Group, and KUN Holding announced that it has won the General Authority of Civil Aviation's (GACA) competition to establish and operate a new national low-cost airline, which will be based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The airline aims to enhance domestic and international air connectivity for the Eastern Province.
According to Emirates News Agency, this win marks the culmination of a shared vision and strategic partnership among the three parties, focused on delivering an efficient operating model that supports the objectives of the Aviation program goals, improves service quality for travelers, and contributes to driving national economic growth.
Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, expressed pride in being selected by GACA to launch the new airline in Dammam. He emphasized the achievement as a milestone that reaffirms Air Arabia's commitment to the Kingdom's aviation sector's growth. The new partnership aims to deliver a reliable travel experience and contribute to economic growth and job creation in the Eastern Province and beyond.
Faisal Bin Saleh Al-Turki, President of Nesma Group, and Mohamed Bin Nabil Hefni, CEO of KUN Holding, highlighted the strategic partnership with Air Arabia Group as a contribution to strengthening tourism infrastructure and stimulating the local economy. They emphasized the project's alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the role of the private sector in supporting sustainable development goals.
The new carrier plans to operate 24 domestic and 57 international destinations with 45 aircraft by 2030, aiming to serve around 10 million passengers annually from Dammam and the Eastern Province. The project is projected to create over 2,400 direct jobs in the aviation sector and significantly contribute to tourism growth and local economic development in the region.