A special ceremony was held at King Fahd International Airport ahead of the inaugural flight, attended by officials, partners, guests and media representatives. A welcome ceremony was also held at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh upon the flight’s arrival.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said the launch marks an important milestone for the new national budget carrier and reflects its commitment to supporting the continued development of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and to expanding affordable and reliable air connectivity from the Eastern Province.

He added that the carrier is commencing operations on three key domestic routes and will progressively expand its network and services. He also thanked the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Dammam Airports Company and other partners for their continued support.

Engineer Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hassany, Chief Executive Officer of Dammam Airports, said the launch strengthens air connectivity across the Eastern Province and expands travel options for passengers.

He added that selecting King Fahd International Airport as the carrier’s operational base reflects the airport’s standing and capabilities, while reinforcing its role as an air gateway linking the Eastern Province to the world.

The carrier currently operates two daily flights from Dammam to Riyadh and Jeddah, plus one daily flight to Medina.

In July 2025, GACA announced that the Air Arabia-led consortium, comprising Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group and Kun Holding, had won the competition to establish the new carrier.

Last week, the national carrier received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from GACA, enabling it to commence operations from its base at King Fahd International Airport. The certificate followed the successful completion of the required technical and regulatory procedures and confirmed the carrier’s compliance with applicable safety and operational requirements.

The carrier follows Air Arabia’s low-cost business model, offering affordable air travel with a focus on reliability and comfort. It operates Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 174 seats in a single-class cabin, featuring generous seat pitch for enhanced passenger comfort.