RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has introduced 60 new direct air routes since the launch of its national Air Connectivity Program, according to Majid Khan, CEO of the initiative.
Launched in 2021, the program has played a crucial role in enhancing tourism by expanding the Kingdom’s air links with global destinations, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s status as a prominent aviation hub.
Khan emphasized the strategic advantage of Saudi Arabia’s geographical location, which allows access to Europe, Asia, and Africa within an eight-hour flight.
He shared these insights during an interview with the Saudi Press Agency at the Routes World 2024 Exhibition and Conference in Bahrain.
From January to October of this year, 12 new foreign airlines established direct routes to Saudi Arabia—a significant achievement compared to the global average of two to four new routes per country.
Khan noted that the Air Connectivity Program has successfully attracted various carriers while strengthening existing routes, contributing to a rise in inbound tourism.
Rashed Al-Shammari, deputy CEO of commercial affairs for the Air Connectivity Program, highlighted the importance of the Routes World 2024 event in bringing together global aviation leaders to discuss operations and expand air routes.
The program aims to showcase Saudi Arabia’s unique tourist attractions, including the Red Sea, AlUla, Riyadh, and Diriyah, all of which have received recognition from UNESCO.
Al-Shammari also revealed that the program has held over 100 scheduled meetings with international aviation stakeholders at the event, focusing on negotiating new routes and enhancing existing ones. The goal is to establish direct connections to over 250 destinations and attract more than 150 million tourists to the Kingdom by 2030.
Ali Masrahi, CEO of Cluster2, which manages 22 regional and international airports across Saudi Arabia, including Abha, Taif, Tabuk, Arar, Jazan, and Al-Baha, reported significant growth in flights and passenger numbers last year, with increases ranging from 15 to 18 percent. Notably, the third quarter alone saw a 15 percent increase in flights and a 12 percent rise in passengers.
