• /wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Thomas_Boon_8-Saudia-2020-1000x667.jpg
    Saudia
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SV/SVA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Dammam Airport, Jeddah Airport, Riyadh Airport
    Year Founded:
    1945
    Alliance:
    SkyTeam
    CEO:
    Ibrahim Alkoshy
    Country:
    Saudi Arabia

Saudia is set to operate the first commercial flights to Neom, the new "smart city" being developed in Saudi Arabia. The country's flag carrier will launch its new service at the end of June and hinted there are other international destinations on the horizon, including London.

Saudia to begin serving Neom in June

Saudi Arabia's newest city, Neom, will start receiving its first commercial flights next month after Saudia announced a direct connection with Dubai. The Saudi Arabian carrier will fly between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Neom Bay Airport (NUM) once a week.

Aircraft traveling to the city will feature a joint Neom-Saudia livery. The futuristic megacity, which plans to welcome its first residents en masse in 2024, is located in the northwestern province of Tabuk at the crossroads of three continents.

Ibrahim Al-Omar, director-general of Saudia, said,

"This partnership is in line with SAUDIA’s ambition to support Saudi Vision 2030 by increasing passenger traffic domestically and regionally, as well as expanding our connections to global cities. As NEOM continues to progress, demand for travel to there is only increasing, making it a natural addition to our list of destinations.”

Neom Bay Airport has welcomed regular charter flights since 2019, but this will be the first scheduled service at the airport.

London could be next

Saudia claims that a direct connection with London is next on the agenda, although the carrier shared no further information other than stating an announcement will "follow shortly."

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said,

"NEOM Bay Airport is a key enabler of NEOM’s development, facilitating efficient access to NEOM for residents and business partners, and drastically improving the ease with which NEOM can connect with people from all over the world. This is an exciting step in our journey to provide the best possible air connectivity to NEOM and a signal of our rapid growth."

Additionally, the airline mentioned its plans for further “flights to select regional and international destinations” out of Neom Bay Airport.

Neom is accessible to 40% of the world within a four-hour flight, opening up many connection possibilities across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

An update on Neom

The $500 billion megacity project of Neom is still some way off completion, with Phase One expected to be complete by 2025. The city currently has around 2,000 residents along with over 10,000 construction workers.

Saudia Boeing 777-300ER
Saudi Arabian Airlines has 33 Boeing B777-300s in its fleet it uses on its long-haul routes. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the ambitious city in 2017 as part of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" initiative.

Part of this plan involves launching a new airline, which will be based in Riyadh. The unnamed airline will help Saudi Arabia meet its goal of attracting 100 million tourists each year by 2030.

Do you plan on visiting Neom? What are your thoughts on the new megacity? Let us know in the comments.