Air Arabia consortium wins Dammam budget carrier license

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) named a consortium led by Air Arabia and consisting of Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Co., as the new national low-cost airline based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

In a post on X, GACA said the new carrier will operate 24 domestic and 57 international routes, aiming to serve 10 million passengers annually with a fleet of 45 aircraft.

The initiative aims to strengthen air connectivity in the Eastern Province, expand seat capacity, and increase travel options for passengers.

The licensing process was launched in May 2024 as part of a competitive bid to establish a new low-cost national carrier at the Dammam airport, according to Argaam’s data.