11 Nov 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline, flyadeal, will launch three new domestic routes from Dammam starting in January, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
The airline will launch daily flights from Dammam to Najran and four weekly services to Tabuk on Jan. 1, followed by three weekly flights to Yanbu starting Jan. 2.
The announcement was made by Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, on the sidelines of the World Travel Market in London.
Greenway said the new routes are part of flyadeal’s mission to connect smaller towns and cities across the Kingdom, catering to populations under 400,000 that are underserved yet have a growing demand for air travel.
“Having well-established bases in Riyadh and Jeddah, flyadeal is now strengthening its presence in the Eastern Province by increasing frequencies on existing routes and adding three new destinations connected to Dammam,” Greenway said.
He added: “Our new flights will facilitate travel for business and leisure purposes, support the growing desire among Saudis and international visitors to discover the rich diversity that the country offers, and attract a growing expatriate population to explore the Kingdom.”
The expansion complements Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and transform the Kingdom into a global transportation and logistics hub.
By enhancing access to remote and economically vital cities, flyadeal supports Vision 2030 objectives to strengthen tourism, stimulate business opportunities, and increase domestic mobility.
The new routes will also advance the nation’s strategy to welcome 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
The expansion marks the first phase of flyadeal’s 2025 growth plan, which includes adding more domestic routes and launching international flights from its primary hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam in the coming months.
The developments align with Saudi Arabia’s broad national efforts to establish itself as a key player in the aviation sector, with enhanced infrastructure, expanded air service networks, and a focus on customer experience.
Operating from its three main bases, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, flyadeal serves nearly 30 year-round and seasonal destinations across the Kingdom and select cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
The airline’s fleet comprises 36 modern Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft, optimized for efficiency and passenger comfort, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing sustainable and high-quality air travel.
The new destinations, Najran, Tabuk, and Yanbu, are strategically significant. Najran, an agricultural hub in the southwest, contributes substantially to the local economy.
Tabuk serves as a gateway to the Red Sea coast and plays a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s large-scale tourism and development projects.
Yanbu, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest port in the Madinah province, is a hub for petroleum and petrochemical industries, supporting national economic objectives and Vision 2030’s goals for diversified growth.
With international routes to Amman, Cairo, and Istanbul, flyadeal positions itself as a crucial connector between the Kingdom and key regional and international destinations, advancing Vision 2030’s ambition of creating an integrated, globally connected Saudi Arabia.