The General Authority of Civil Aviation has confirmed May 17, 2021, as the date for international travel resumption for Saudi carriers. This amends the previously announced resumption date of March 31, 2021, made in late January 2021.
Suspension of international travel to countries with critical coronavirus levels will continue as outlined by the authority, according to a statement released to local airports
This announcement follows the recent increase of Saudi Arabia airlines’ domestic flight capacity recorded in the last week of March 2021. A 15.4% week-on-week increase of airline capacity in the Saudi market rose to 723,496 seats. The rise can be attributed to the anticipation of an uptrend in the summer season.
Saudi Arabian Airlines recently signed a $3 billion funding deal to purchase 73 new aircraft. The fleet expansion is part of a long-term economic growth plan to attract 100 million visitors annually in an effort to boost tourism and its allied sectors.