GACA Awards Air Operator Certificate to Air Arabia Consortium for New Dammam-Based Carrier

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) awarded an Air Operator Certificate to the Air Arabia consortium on Monday, establishing a new national low-cost carrier based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
 The license was awarded in the presence of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and GACA Board of Directors Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser and GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, following the consortium's successful completion of all technical, safety, and regulatory compliance requirements in accordance with the implementing regulations of the Civil Aviation Law.
 GACA Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability Captain Sulaiman bin Saleh Almuhaimedi stated that launching operations from Dammam will enhance market competition and stimulate economic and tourism activity in Eastern Region while creating new local employment opportunities.
 He affirmed that the step reflects GACA's regulatory role in fostering an attractive investment environment for the air transport industry.
 Almuhaimedi noted that the new carrier will drive Saudi Arabia's air connectivity by serving 24 domestic and 57 international destinations and carrying approximately 10 million passengers annually by 2030, in alignment with the strategic programs of Saudi Vision 2030.