The Saudi 7: Kingdom Grows Its Ambitious Multi-Airline Strategy

Saudi Arabia‘s explosive growth in commercial aviation is set to increase further with the revelation that it is planning to launch three additional airlines in the coming years. The new carriers form part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, and its ambitious goals of reaching 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade.

These would operate alongside the four existing Saudi carriers, each of which already has massive growth plans with substantial aircraft order books. Details about the three new airlines are still limited, but it is anticipated that one will be based in Dammam on the Gulf coast, with another centered on religious travel to Medina.

Three More Air Carriers To Be Announced

Credit: Riyadh Air

Saudi Arabia introduced its Vision 2030 plan nearly a decade ago as a means to diversify its economy. As part of this, the kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy has set a target of 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade. To support this, Saudi Arabia has invested over $100 billion into developing its aviation sector, including major airport projects such as the new 6-runway King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and the massive expansion of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Now the Saudi Tourism Authority’s chief executive, Fahd Hamidaddinis, has revealed that the kingdom is planning to launch three more airlines to go with this, as it chases its ambitious tourism targets. Once active, this would mean that Saudi Arabia would enter the next decade with seven active airlines and a total fleet approaching 1,000 commercial aircraft.

Speaking in Riyadh at the Cityscape Global real estate conference, Hamidaddinis said that “Saudi Arabia is delivering the most significant aviation industry transformation within the 21st century.” When asked specifically about the airlines, he went on to say:

“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.”

Early Insights Into The New Carriers

Credit: Flynas

Saudi Arabia hardly lacks its own airlines as it stands today. Long-time national carrier, Saudia, is complemented by Flynas, a private company and the first low-cost carrier in the kingdom, and Flyadeal, a low-cost division of Saudia. And then there is Riyadh Air, which just initiated flights to London Heathrow Airport, and plans flights to over 100 destinations by the end of the decade.

Details on the three new carriers are still vague, but we do know that one of the three will be a low-cost airline based in the city of Dammam at King Fahd International Airport, the world’s largest airport by area. In July, the kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed that a consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia, together with Kun Investment and Nesma Holding, had been selected to launch a new low-cost airline. By 2030, it is intended that it will have a fleet of 45 aircraft and will be flying on 24 domestic and 57 international routes, carrying 10 million passengers annually.

The second airline is expected to be based in the holy city of Medina, and will focus specifically on religious tourism. Currently, Jeddah is the primary gateway for pilgrims visiting Medina, with the two cities connected by high-speed rail. The new airline will make it easier for pilgrims to fly directly to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina. Ali Rajab, executive vice president at GACA said at the Dubai Airshow 2025 last week that tenders for the Medina-based carrier would be issued “within the next couple of months.” No details on the third planned airline are immediately available.

The Current Saudi Airlines Are Growing Rapidly

Credit: Flyadeal

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s existing four carriers continue to grow at a prodigious rate. They have more than 460 aircraft on order, which, when delivered, will triple the size of the current operational fleets. Flynas has the largest order book, with over 140 Airbus A320 family aircraft, as well as the 15 A330-900s that it ordered at the Farnborough Airshow last year.

Riyadh Air, which recently initiated its first route between the Saudi capital and London, also has a massive order book. It’s first examples of what will eventually be a fleet of 40 Boeing 787-9s are currently being completed at Boeing’s facility in Charleston with the first due to be delivered before the end of the year. With Airbus, it has 60 A321neos on order, and also signed for 25 A350-1000s (with options for 25 more) at the Paris Air Show earlier this year.