RIYADH: Saudi low-cost airline flynas has launched a new direct route connecting Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport to the Red Sea, enhancing access to the Kingdom’s premier tourism destination.
The inaugural flight, which landed on Dec. 26, marked the first direct connection between the Eastern Province and the Red Sea International Airport.
The new routes support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to make the Kingdom a global tourism hub by enhancing connectivity and infrastructure, while RSI is key in helping the nation attract a significant amount of tourists by the end of the decade.
The new service operates twice weekly, on Thursdays and Saturdays, and complements existing flights from Riyadh and Jeddah, strengthening RSI’s role as a domestic and international tourism hub.
Since September 2023, The Red Sea destination has hosted visitors at its five luxury resorts, supported by national carrier Saudia’s regular domestic services.
In 2024, RSI achieved another milestone by welcoming its first international flight from Dubai International Airport, operated by flydubai.
These developments highlight RSI’s growing role as a key gateway to Saudi Arabia’s tourism offerings.
Once fully operational, RSI will run entirely on renewable energy generated by 760,500 photovoltaic panels and one of the world’s largest off-grid battery energy storage systems.
Current airside operations, including lighting, navigation, and meteorological equipment, are already exclusively powered by renewable energy.
Upon its completion in 2030, the expansive development will feature 50 resorts offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential units across 22 islands and six inland sites.
The development will also feature luxury marinas, golf courses, diverse dining options, and entertainment facilities, positioning it as a global leader in sustainable and luxury tourism.
In November, flynas added two new African destinations to its network beginning on Jan. 8.
The airline will operate three weekly flights from Riyadh to Uganda and three from Jeddah to Djibouti, according to the company’s statement.
The expansion is part of the airline’s “We Connect the World to the Kingdom” initiative and supports Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to expand connectivity to 250 international destinations and reach 330 million passengers.
The routes to Uganda and Djibouti also align with Saudi Arabia’s goal of welcoming 150 million tourists annually by 2030 and advancing the Pilgrims Experience Program, which seeks to streamline travel access to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
Red Sea International is strategically located to serve 250 million people within a three-hour flight radius, covering the Middle East, parts of Europe, and Africa.
