Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides in enhancing its air connectivity over the past four years, with the addition of more than 60 direct air routes. These efforts are a key part of the Air Connectivity Program, which was launched in 2021 to strengthen the Kingdom’s tourism sector and make it a premier global destination. The initiative has been instrumental in increasing the number of foreign airlines operating in Saudi Arabia and expanding international travel options for both tourists and residents.
The program’s success is expected to continue as Saudi Arabia works toward its ambitious goal of attracting 150 million tourists by 2030. The Saudi Air Connectivity Program was introduced to align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at diversifying the country’s economy by reducing dependence on oil revenues. Tourism plays a pivotal role in this strategy, and air connectivity is one of the most critical components in making Saudi Arabia a global tourist hub.
The program focuses on establishing new direct air routes to international destinations and improving the country’s accessibility to tourists from all over the world. From January to October 2024 alone, 12 foreign airlines launched direct flights to Saudi Arabia, a significant achievement compared to the global average, which typically sees only two to four new foreign carriers entering a market each year. This surge in new routes is a direct result of the Air Co.