JAKARTA — Saudi Arabia is moving forward with ambitious plans to establish two more airlines, adding to its growing fleet of carriers that already includes Saudia, Riyadh Air, flynas, and flyadeal. The expansion forms part of the Kingdom’s comprehensive Vision 2030 initiative aimed at economic diversification and tourism development.

Aviation as Economic Driver

The Saudi government has positioned the aviation sector as a cornerstone of its strategy to transform the national economy and reduce dependence on petroleum revenues. Multiple initiatives have been launched to position the Kingdom as an attractive and accessible tourist destination, with aviation infrastructure playing a central role in this transformation.

The upcoming launch of Riyadh Air’s commercial operations later this year represents one of the flagship achievements of this aviation-focused strategy, signaling the Kingdom’s serious commitment to becoming a major player in global air travel.

New Airlines Revealed at Industry Conference

During the Cityscape Global real estate conference held this month, Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, disclosed details about the planned airline additions. According to reports from Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI), Hamidaddin emphasized the connection between successful aviation and destination development.

“A successful national airline builds a destination, and they are yet to start. There is Riyadh Air, Saudia, and three more air carriers to be announced,” Hamidaddin stated at the event.

Dammam-Based Budget Carrier Confirmed

The first of the new airlines has been previously announced and will operate as a low-cost carrier based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. In July 2025, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) officially confirmed that a consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia, in partnership with Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Holding, had been chosen to establish this new budget airline.

The Dammam-based carrier is expected to operate an impressive 45-aircraft fleet by 2030, serving 24 domestic destinations alongside 57 international airports. This ambitious route network aims to improve connectivity both within the Kingdom and to key international markets.

Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are proud to have been selected by GACA to launch a new national low-cost airline headquartered in Dammam. As a leading low-cost operator in the region, this milestone reaffirms our commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Kingdom’s aviation sector.”

Religious Tourism Focus for Second Airline

According to industry reports, the second newly announced airline will be specifically oriented toward religious tourism, likely serving the millions of pilgrims who visit the Kingdom annually for hajj and umrah. However, specific details about this carrier’s operations, routes, and timeline remain undisclosed.

Information about the third planned airline is even more limited, with no details yet revealed about its market positioning or operational focus.

Riyadh Air Fleet Expansion

The Kingdom’s aviation ambitions received further momentum at last week’s Dubai Airshow, where Riyadh Air announced a significant engine order. The carrier confirmed a purchase of 120 CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power 60 Airbus A321neo family aircraft that were ordered in 2024, demonstrating the scale of investment being directed toward the aviation sector.

Vision 2030 and Economic Transformation

These aviation developments align directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework, which aims to fundamentally reshape the Kingdom’s economy. By building a robust aviation network with multiple carriers serving different market segments—from premium full-service airlines to budget carriers and specialized religious tourism operators—Saudi Arabia is creating the infrastructure necessary to welcome significantly increased visitor numbers.

The strategy reflects an understanding that modern tourism and business destinations require accessible, affordable, and diverse air connectivity. With these additional carriers, the Kingdom will be better positioned to compete with regional aviation hubs while supporting its broader economic diversification goals.

Original Article:

Aero Time. (2025, November 25). Saudi Arabia plans to create two more new airlines tourism CEO reveals: reports. Retrieved from https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/saudi-arabia-new-airlines-vision-2030