ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
An Air Arabia-led consortium has moved closer to launching a budget airline from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam after securing an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
The certificate was granted on Monday after the airline completed all the required technical, regulatory and operational procedures, including requirements covering safety, security and operational-quality standards, GACA said in a statement.
The consortium comprises Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group and KUN Holding Company. It was selected by GACA in July 2025 to establish and operate a new national low-cost airline.
The statement did not specify when the airline would begin operations.
Captain Sulaiman bin Saleh Almuhaimedi, Executive Vice President of Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, said the launch of the airline would increase competition and improve performance in the air transport market.
“The launch of Air Arabia’s operations from Dammam will contribute to enhancing competition and improving performance in the air transport market, while supporting trade and tourism in the Eastern Province and creating new local employment opportunities,” he said.
The new carrier plans to serve 24 domestic and 57 international destinations and is expected to carry about 10 million passengers annually by 2030, according to GACA.