Twelve foreign airlines began offering direct flights to Saudi Arabia in the first ten months of 2024, marking a significant expansion in the country’s international air connections.
Rapid Growth in Saudi Aviation
This growth contrasts sharply with the global trend, where typically only two to four new foreign carriers enter new markets each year, according to Majid Khan, CEO of the Air Connectivity Programme, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
The Air Connectivity Programme, launched in 2021, aims to enhance Saudi Arabia's flight connections and has successfully established over 60 new direct routes, helping to position the country as a major aviation hub.
Strategic Location Driving Growth
Khan emphasized Saudi Arabia’s strategic location, which allows access to Europe, Asia, and Africa within an eight-hour flight. This advantage offers numerous opportunities for airlines to connect with the kingdom, especially as it continues to expand its aviation infrastructure.
Key Developments in Saudi Airports
Over the past year, growth in flights and passenger traffic has increased between 15% and 18%, according to Ali Bin Mohammed Masrahi, CEO of the Second Airports Cluster Company, which oversees 22 airports across Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, expansions at airports such as Al Qassim and Taif, along with upgrades at Abha Airport, will allow these airports to accommodate over a million passengers annually. New airports are also being developed in Jazan, Al-Baha, and Al-Jawf to further boost capacity.
Saudi Arabia's Tourism Boom
In February, Saudi Arabia announced it had welcomed over 106 million tourists in 2023, exceeding its target for 2030. The country now aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
In 2023, approximately 27 million international tourists spent $37.6 billion (Dh138 billion) in Saudi Arabia, marking the highest figure to date, according to a report from the Saudi Tourism Ministry in August 2024.
Looking Ahead
With the continuous growth in air connectivity, infrastructure development, and tourism, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a leading destination for both international airlines and global travelers.
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