Saudi unveils plan for new national air carrier

Saudi Arabia has revealed the launch of a new national air carrier, which is expected to contribute to raising the GDP growth by billions and providing hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said that the new national carrier will be established under the name of Riyadh Air, and it will provide more than 200,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.

The new company is expected to contribute to GDP growth of up to $20 billion in a few years, according to Saudi news outlets, which did not disclose a timeframe for the envisaged growth.

The new airline will launch flights to more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030.

It will see a fleet of advanced aircraft, but the size of the fleet or the quality of its aircraft has not yet been determined. The launch date of the new flights has not yet been announced.

The step is part of Saudi moves to compete with transport and travel centers in the region.

Saudi seeks 330 million passengers

Saudi Arabia seeks, within the reform vision of 2030, to increase annual air traffic to 330 million passengers by the end of the current decade, in addition to transporting up to 5 million tons of cargo annually.

Former Etihad’s president appointed as CEO

Saudi media outlets reported that Tony Douglas will hold the position of CEO of the company. Douglas is a British businessman and a former president of Etihad Airways and has a long experience in the field of aviation.

The step coincides with media announcement in November about plans to construct a new airport extending over a distance of 57 kilometers, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The new airport is expected to accommodate 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million passengers by 2050.