Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has granted an Air Operator Certificate to an Air Arabia-led consortium for a new low-cost carrier based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The approval clears the airline to move towards launch after completing technical, safety and regulatory requirements, with plans to serve domestic and international routes from the Eastern Province.
The consortium brings together Air Arabia, Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Co. The carrier is intended to expand air connectivity from Dammam, increase competition and add seat capacity in a market where low-cost travel continues to gain share. GACA expects the airline to operate 24 domestic destinations and 57 international destinations, carrying about 10 million passengers a year by 2030.
The new operator is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider push to strengthen aviation capacity and support economic development outside the main hubs. The project is also expected to create local jobs and widen travel options for passengers in the Eastern Province, although the airline’s final brand name and launch timetable have not yet been disclosed.