Saudi Arabia: Aviation Market Flourishes, Ticket Prices Likely to Drop

Dammam- Nesma Airlines first flight took off on Thursday while Fly deal is expected to commence operations mid of 2017 – This actually hints that 2017 will be a competitive year among airlines.

Effective airlines in Saudi Arabia will reach four companies in one year: Fly deal, Nesma Airline, Saudia, and Flynas.

Nesma Airlines chose Hail Airport as its main hub, marking the beginning of the national project for hub airports. This project aims to facilitate travel of citizens and residents alike throughout the Kingdom and to neighboring countries and to not totally rely on international airports. The company has already started selling tickets through its official website, own outlets and travel agencies.

Economics Expert Dr. Salim Bajajah said that the demand for air flights is huge in short and long term vacations and throughout the whole year also. He added that many passengers find no seats sometimes and are then obliged to



travel by land.

“Population growth and the increase of citizens’ needs, especially those whose destinations are central cities, make establishing more airlines in the country a must,” said Bajajah.

For his part, Farouq Al-Khateeb, professor of economics at King Abdul Aziz University, considered that creating competition and granting licenses for new airlines will boost the aviation market and diversify this industry.

“The success of new companies will attract other companies to join the sector… allowing other companies to enter the aviation market is a must and will cause a boost in the sector—subsequently it will create more job opportunities for the youth,” added Khateeb.

He stressed that developing competitiveness will contribute to dropping the cost of tickets in the future, wishing that airlines consider underwriting in which citizens can purchase their shares and benefit from their profit.