Air Transport from UAE to Saudi Arabia Surges 13% in March
In a significant boost, air transport from the UAE to Saudi Arabia saw a 13 percent surge in March compared to the previous month. This increase in flights was primarily driven by rising demand due to Ramadan, according to the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
Key Times for Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Sector
The Hajj season has always been a crucial time for Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. In 2023, regional airports in the Kingdom transported 1.5 million religious visitors and 3.2 million passengers through 102 airlines during the pilgrimage period.
Increased Services by flydubai and Etihad Airways
flydubai significantly increased its services to the Kingdom by 40 percent in March to support the Hajj season. This increase saw a rise from 93 weekly trips in February to 130 in March, covering various destinations including Abha, Jazan, Neom, AlUla, and Qaisumah.
Etihad Airways also upped its weekly services by more than 22.2 percent in March compared to February. The airline transported around 45,000 passengers to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan and the Umrah season, with Jeddah being the top choice for travelers.
Emirates, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia Services
Emirates operated 67 weekly flights in March to destinations like Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, and Riyadh. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operated 21 weekly flights to Dammam and Madinah, while Air Arabia had around 88 weekly services to various destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Increasing Tourism for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Goals
Developing the tourism sector and increasing the number of pilgrim tourists is crucial for Saudi Arabia as it aims to reduce its dependence on oil, aligning with the goals outlined in Vision 2030. The number of travelers during the 2023 Hajj season increased by over 86 percent compared to 2022.
Inspection at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport
In March, Saudi Arabia’s Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser inspected Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport to ensure smooth operations for Ramadan. From the beginning of Sha’ban on Feb. 11 until Ramadan 10 on March 20, KAIA recorded over 5.4 million passengers on 30,572 flights.