• Two weekly flights to Abha International Airport starting 2 January, 2025
• Increase in flights to NEOM from two to four weekly during the winter season
Riyadh, September 10 – The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP), in collaboration with its stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem, welcomes Qatar Airways’ expansion in Saudi Arabia with the resumption of services to Abha. Qatar Airways will operate two weekly flights to Abha International Airport, starting on January 2, 2025. Additionally, flights to NEOM will increase from two to four weekly during the winter season.
This expansion of Qatar Airways, recently voted the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax 2024, aligns with ACP’s mission to boost inbound tourism as it will connect two key destinations in Saudi Arabia with Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 global destinations.
Saudi Air Connectivity Program CEO, Mr. Majid Khan, said: “We are thrilled that World’s Best Airline, voted by Skytrax, will
commence direct scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia’s beautiful Aseer region and the city of Abha and increase of frequencies to
Neom, a futuristic city unlike any other at Red Sea coast of northwest. Tourists will fly with Qatar Airways’ large Network, from 170 destinations, globally to Abha and Neom via Doha Hub. This new route supports our Tourism strategy to bring Saudi
Arabia’s untouched tourism potential closer to the World.”
CEO of Cluster 2 Airports Company, Engr. Ali Masrahi, said: “Cluster 2 Airports Company, managing 22 airports including Neom and Abha, is proud to partner with Qatar Airways, ranked the world’s best by Skytrax. The launch of direct flights to Asir and Abha, as well as Neom, aligns with our goals under the National Aviation Strategy and the Air Connectivity Program. This move strengthens our global network and highlights our dedication to elevating our airports’ status. With 19 accreditations from Airports Council International, we are committed to delivering top-tier aviation services.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are pleased to announce our flight resumption to Abha, our 11th gateway in Saudi Arabia, with two weekly flights. In addition, we will increase our flight frequencies to NEOM from two to four weekly flights. This strategic expansion highlights our commitment to the region and we look forward to connecting travelers to more than 170 destinations across the globe, offering them an unrivalled travel experience through our award-winning and 5-star hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport.”
The Acting CEO of the Aseer Development Authority, Mr. Hashim Al Dabnagh, confirmed that the region aims to be a global destination year-round, based on its strategic direction and tourism orientation. He expressed the Authority’s pleasure at the opening of a new flight route to and from Abha International Airport with Qatar Airways. He noted that the current capacity of Abha International Airport is 1.1 million passengers, while the new Abha International Airport will have a capacity of 13 million passengers annually, which will positively impact tourism in the region.
