What’s confirmed about the new Dammam airline, and what isn’t
| Confirmed | Detail |
|---|---|
| Air Operator Certificate | Granted by GACA, 14 Sept 2026 |
| Operations | Started 20 Sept 2026, first flight Dammam to Riyadh |
| Base airport | King Fahd International, Dammam (DMM) |
| Routes flying | Riyadh, Jeddah, Medinah, all domestic |
| Frequency | Riyadh double daily, Jeddah double daily, Medinah daily |
| Dammam-Riyadh fare | From SAR 168, now listed on Wego |
| Owners | Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group, KUN Holding (majority Saudi-owned) |
| Aircraft | Airbus A320, 174 seats, single class |
| Not yet confirmed | Detail |
|---|---|
| The airline’s own name | Not announced. Still referred to only as “the Air Arabia-led consortium” |
| Jeddah and Medinah fares | Not listed on Wego as of 22 Sept 2026, though Dammam-Riyadh fares now show |
| Jeddah and Medinah flight times | Not published |
| International routes | Planned, no dates announced |
The new Dammam-based carrier flew its first service, to Riyadh, on 20 September 2026. Fares for that route now show on Wego, from SAR 168, but Jeddah and Medinah aren’t listed yet.
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The airline’s growth plan beyond launch
| Milestone | Destinations |
|---|---|
| At launch, 20 Sept 2026 | 3 domestic |
| Planned network | 24 domestic, 57 international |
| Passengers targeted by 2030 | ~10 million a year |
Questions
When did the new Dammam airline start flying?
It started on 20 September 2026, with its first flight from Dammam to Riyadh, confirmed by a launch ceremony at both airports. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation granted its Air Operator Certificate on 14 September 2026.
Which routes does it fly?
Three domestic routes: Dammam to Riyadh, Dammam to Jeddah and Dammam to Medinah. The consortium has said it plans 24 domestic and 57 international destinations over time, with no dates yet.
How often do the flights run?
Riyadh and Jeddah get double-daily flights. Medinah gets one flight a day.
Does the new airline have its own name yet?
Not publicly, as of 22 September 2026. It is described only as “the Air Arabia-led consortium,” made up of Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group and KUN Holding Company, majority Saudi-owned.
Can I check fares yet?
Dammam to Riyadh fares now show on Wego, from around SAR 168. Jeddah and Medinah fares were not listed as of 22 September 2026, though the airline says all three routes are bookable on its own site.
Sources
- Air Arabia: Consortium led by “Air Arabia” Announces Launch of Operations from King Fahd International Airport, routes, frequency and planned start date, retrieved 17 September 2026.
- Air Arabia: GACA Grants AOC to the Consortium led by “Air Arabia” to Launch New National Budget Carrier in Dammam, AOC date and long-term network plan, retrieved 17 September 2026.
- Air Arabia: “Air Arabia-led Consortium” Launches its First Flight From King Fahd International Airport, confirms operations started 20 September 2026 and seat configuration, retrieved 22 September 2026.
- Wego flight search, Dammam to Riyadh, Jeddah and Medinah, sampled 22 September 2026: Dammam-Riyadh fares now listed, from SAR 168; Jeddah and Medinah not yet listed.
How this page was checked
- Every fact in the “Confirmed now” table comes from the airline’s own three press releases, all linked in Sources.
- First checked 17 September 2026, when the airline had a start date but no fares anywhere. Re-checked 22 September 2026, two days after the confirmed launch: Dammam-Riyadh fares now return on Wego, Jeddah and Medinah do not.
- The “not yet confirmed” table is not a prediction. Each row was checked and found absent as of the sample date: no brand name in any release, no Jeddah or Medinah fare in Wego’s search, no flight numbers published for those two routes.
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
