Saudi Arabia Explores Untapped Markets to Expand Global Flight Connections

The Air Connectivity Program pavilion during the annual meeting of the International Aviation Council in Riyadh (Photo by: Turky Al-Agili)
The Air Connectivity Program pavilion during the annual meeting of the International Aviation Council in Riyadh (Photo by: Turky Al-Agili)
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Saudi Arabia Explores Untapped Markets to Expand Global Flight Connections

The Air Connectivity Program pavilion during the annual meeting of the International Aviation Council in Riyadh (Photo by: Turky Al-Agili)
The Air Connectivity Program pavilion during the annual meeting of the International Aviation Council in Riyadh (Photo by: Turky Al-Agili)

Saudi Arabia has established the Air Connectivity Program in 2021 to work with air carriers and airports with the aim to launch additional routes and flights to targeted destinations.

The Kingdom is seeking to become a global aviation hub through several initiatives and programs, at the forefront of which is the National Aviation Strategy, which seeks to connect 250 direct destinations to and from Saudi airports, increase air traffic, and raise the volume of cargo.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Executive Vice President of Aviation Development in the Air Connectivity program, Rashid Al-Shammari talked about a plan to expand air routes through 29 airports in the Kingdom by adding the largest number of plane seats.

He explained that the program links the National Tourism Strategy to the National Aviation Strategy through the launch of new routes, additional flights in priority target markets and seasonal trips.

He made his comments on the sidelines of the first annual meeting in the Middle East of the General Assembly of the Airports Council International, which is held in Riyadh from May 22-23.

He stated that the Air Connectivity Program has been able to launch more than 50 routes since its inception in 2021, and works to facilitate entry into the market and enhance expansion opportunities for travel partners to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, in addition to empowering cadres and developing operational excellence based on the latest technologies.

Some of the routes that were launched include a connection between Beijing and Riyadh. The program also cooperated this year with the Italian national carrier ETA to operate flights from the city of Rome to Jeddah and Riyadh.

At the global level, the Kingdom jumped 14 places in the rate of international air connectivity, to reach the 13th place in 2023 compared to 27th in 2019, according to the latest air connectivity index report issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in a classification that includes more than 200 countries.

Moreover, in 2023, Riyadh Air was established by the Public Investment Fund, targeting more than 100 destinations by 2030 and providing more than 200,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, as well as contributing SAR 75 billion ($20 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product.



Saudi Minister of Economy: Accelerating Economic Diversification Is Priority of Vision 2030

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Economy: Accelerating Economic Diversification Is Priority of Vision 2030

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim speaks at the forum. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim said the Kingdom has reached the halfway point in its journey towards Vision 2030, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

He made his remarks at a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC24) in Dalian, China.

The minister discussed the rapid growth of non-oil activities since implementing the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The minister said: "The Kingdom achieved an economic growth rate of 8.7% in 2022, with non-oil activities contributing 5.6%. Non-oil activities account for 51% of the real gross domestic product, surpassing the oil economy.”

“The Kingdom has reached the halfway point in its journey towards Vision 2030 and will continue to prioritize economic diversification and human capital development,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he highlighted the Kingdom's role in energy security and climate action, stating that it is a major producer of clean hydrocarbon energy and has made significant strides in renewable energy, including green hydrogen, solar, and wind energy.

The minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address global economic challenges and stressed the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and comprehensive solutions.