Saudi ACP seeks to attract US, Canadian, Brazilian airlines

The number of the existing airlines is not sufficient, and there is a need for foreign airlines in order to regulate the market and achieve strategic aviation goals. The program targets to achieve this by 2030 as some airlines make decisions in a short period and others have a very long decision-making process, said Khan.

For more exclusive interviews

The program aims to stimulate the market by providing more seats to the 29 airports in the country.

The program will prioritize the national airlines including Saudia, FlyNas, and Riyadh Air, enhance secondary markets and boost direct connectivity to the Red Sea, Al-Ula, Abha, and other regions. It is not a single network that suits all destinations, as routes are being built, along with the whole system, in several areas.

Efforts are underway to enhance air traffic from Chinese, British, and German airports to Saudi Arabia to boost domestic tourism. The program aims to enable people to travel across Saudi Arabia to all historical and cultural sites.

Khan revealed that a contract will be signed with an airline from Asia, expecting more contracts to be sealed with companies from Europe.

According to data available on Argaam, the ACP is aimed at boosting tourism by enhancing air connectivity between the Kingdom and the world, through developing current and potential air routes. This will enhance cooperation and build partnerships among key public and private sector entities in the tourism and aviation sectors.