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Saudi Arabia Announces New Low-Cost Airline with Fleet of 45 Planes

The headquarters of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation
The headquarters of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation
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Saudi Arabia Announces New Low-Cost Airline with Fleet of 45 Planes

The headquarters of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation
The headquarters of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday the planned establishment of a new national low-cost airline with a fleet of 45 planes to be ready by 2030, state media reported.

The United Arab Emirates's carrier Air Arabia was among an alliance of three companies that won a bid to operate the new airline.

The new carrier would operate domestic and international flights from and to King Fahd international airport in Dammam and is expected to expand travel options by serving 81 domestic and international destinations.

The announcement came during a ceremony in which Governor of Eastern Region Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the new identity and master plan for the King Fahd International Airport.

The event also included the unveiling of the master plans for Al-Ahsa and Qaisumah international airports, the launch of the Dammam Airports Strategy, and the inauguration of a package of integrated development projects with a value exceeding 1.6 billion Saudi riyals.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said on its X account that the establishment of a new national low-cost airline aims to enhance air connectivity for the Eastern Region, increase seat capacity, improve service quality for travelers, and create a competitive environment that offers more choices, all in line with the objectives of the aviation program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

It said the winning bid came from a consortium comprising Air Arabia, Nesma Group, and Kun Investment Holding, which submitted the most competitive proposal.
The new national low-cost carrier is expected to expand travel options by serving 24 domestic and 57 international destinations.

It aims to connect nearly 10 million passengers annually through King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) by 2030, in support of the sector’s strategic goals.

The project will also create over 2,400 direct jobs, contribute to GDP growth targets under the aviation program, and support economic development and tourism in Dammam and Eastern Region.

The alliance is expected to complete licensing procedures and begin operations in 2026.

Future Plans

Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz on Sunday also unveiled Dammam airports' new strategy and he inaugurated electronic gates to streamline passenger procedures.

He stated that the significant expansion of the Saudi aviation sector is a direct result of the government's strong commitment to supporting this industry, recognizing its crucial role in achieving broader development goals.

This includes investing in infrastructure improvements, increasing air connectivity, and establishing the Kingdom as a major global logistics hub, all in line with the objectives outlined in Vision 2030.

The strategic plan targets serving more than 19.3 million passengers annually at KFIA by 2030, more than double the number in 2022.

It also aims to boost air cargo capacity to over 600,000 tons annually, a 1,000% increase, positioning the airport as a key regional logistics hub in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Future developments include a record-breaking expansion of the airport’s operational capacity, increasing aircraft movements to 77 per hour and boosting annual passenger capacity to 32 million.

Additional projects include comprehensive upgrades to general aviation facilities and infrastructure to meet the highest international standards.

By the end of 2024, King Fahd International Airport had recorded a 35% increase in passenger traffic compared to 2022.

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of GACA Saleh Al-Jasser said: “The Kingdom, under the support of its wise leadership, is witnessing unprecedented advancements in aviation and air transport projects, initiatives, and services.”

He noted that launching a new low-cost carrier in the Eastern Region is one of the initiatives of the aviation program derived from the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej stressed that the new strategic program emanates from the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, a key pillar to enhance air connectivity, and achieve the Kingdom's targets to be a global center in air transport and logistics services.

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Aljadaan: Emerging Markets Account for 70% of Global Growth

Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
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Aljadaan: Emerging Markets Account for 70% of Global Growth

Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jadaan speaking to the attendees at the "AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies" (Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan stressed Sunday that the world economy is going through a “profound transition,” saying emerging markets and developing economies now account for nearly 60 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in purchasing power terms and over 70 percent of global growth.

In his opening remarks at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the IMF in AlUla, the minister said these economies have become an increasingly important driver of global growth with their share of global economy more than doubling since 2010.

“Today, the 10 emerging economies in the G20 alone account for more than half of the world growth. Yet, they face a more complex and fragmented environment, elevated debt levels, slower trade growth and increasing exposure to geopolitical shocks.”

“Unfortunately, more than half of low income countries are either in or at the risk of debt distress. At the same time global trade growth has slowed at around half of what it was pre the pandemic,” Aljadaan added.

The Finance Minister stressed that the Saudi experience over the past decade has reinforced three lessons that may be relevant to the discussions at the two-day conference, which brings together a select group of ministers and central bank governors, leaders of international organizations, leading investors and academics.

“First, macroeconomic stability is not the enemy of growth. It is actually the foundation,” he said.

“Structural reforms deliver results only when institutions deliver. So there is no point of reforming ... if the institutions are unable to deliver,” he stated.

Finally, he said that “international cooperation matters more, not less, in a fragmented world.”

Business

Georgieva from AlUla: Growth Still Lacks Pre-pandemic Levels

Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Georgieva from AlUla: Growth Still Lacks Pre-pandemic Levels

Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Kristalina Georgieva speaking to attendees at the second edition of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Sunday that world growth still lacks pre-pandemic levels, expressing concern as she expected more shocks amid high spending and rising debt levels in many countries.

Georgieva spoke at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the IMF in AlUla.

The two-day conference brings together a select group of ministers and central bank governors, leaders of international organizations, leading investors and academics to deliberate on policies to global stability, prosperity, and multilateral collaboration.

Georgieva said that the conference was launched last year in recognition of the growing role of emerging market economies in a world of sweeping transformations.

“I came out of this gathering .... With a sense of hope for the pragmatic attitude and determination to pursue good policies and build strong institutions,” she said.

Georgieva stressed that “good policies pay off,” and said that growth rates across emerging economies reached four percent this year, exceeding by a large margin those of advanced economies that are around 1.5 percent.

Business

Saudi Arabia’s flynas, Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Partner to Launch 'flynas Syria'

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
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Saudi Arabia’s flynas, Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Partner to Launch 'flynas Syria'

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)
The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards (flynas)

Saudi budget carrier flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport to establish a new commercial airline under the name "flynas Syria," with operations scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Saturday’s agreement comes within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria, as well as the strategic investment agreements between the two countries, coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport.

The new airline will operate commercial air transport services in accordance with approved regulations and standards, meeting the highest safety and aviation security requirements. All licensing and operational procedures will be completed in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The carrier will be established as a joint venture, with 51% ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49% by flynas.

The new airline will operate flights to several destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This expansion aims to bolster air traffic to and from Syria, enhance regional and international connectivity, and meet growing demand for air travel.

"This step is part of our commitment to supporting high-quality cross-border investments. The aviation sector is a key enabler of economic development, and the establishment of 'flynas Syria' serves as a model for constructive investment cooperation,” said Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih.

“This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability,” he added.

President of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Omar Hosari also stated that the establishment of flynas Syria represents a strategic step within a comprehensive national vision aimed at rebuilding and developing Syria's civil aviation sector on modern economic and regulatory foundations.

“This will be achieved while balancing safety requirements, operational sustainability, investment stimulation, and passenger services. The partnership reflects the state's orientation toward smart cooperation models with trusted regional partners, ensuring the transfer of expertise, the development of national capabilities, and the enhancement of Syria's air connectivity with regional and international destinations, in line with global best practices in the air transport industry."

flynas Chairman Ayed Al-Jeaid stated that the company continues to pursue strategies aimed at growth and international expansion, describing the agreement as a historic milestone in the company's journey and a promising investment model in partnership with Syria.

flynas CEO Bander Al-mohanna said the step represents a qualitative leap in the company's strategy and financial performance, highlighting the transfer of the company's low-cost aviation experience to the Syrian market to support regional and international air connectivity.

flynas currently operates 23 weekly flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam to Damascus, including two daily direct flights from Riyadh, one daily flight from Jeddah, and two weekly flights from Dammam.

The airline made history on June 5, 2025, by adding the Syrian capital to its network, becoming the first Saudi carrier to resume scheduled flights to Damascus.