Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has operated its first flight from Manama, Bahrain (BAH) to the Saudi city of AIUIa. The new service, which will operate twice weekly, had its inaugural flight on February 3, 2024, and will operate until March 6, 2024. The service will operate a further short series of flights between April 10 and April 24, 2024. All flights are operated by one of Gulf Air’s 14-strong fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft.
AlUla’s appeal has been growing among international airlines in recent months. A rapid increase in the number of regional and international travelers to the city is drawn by the area’s rich heritage, natural beauty, and diverse calendar of cultural and other events. These include the AlUla Arts Festival, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, and the Tough Mudder Infinity Endurance AlUla tournament in February 2024.
The growth of flight operations and airport infrastructure at AIUIa is aligned with the city’s ongoing goal to welcome two million visitors annually by 2035 while avoiding over-tourism.
To this end, the city authorities are working on a strategy that is described as “dedicated to enhancing AIUIa’s international accessibility which is evident in the planned expansion of AlUla International Airport.” The airport is currently aiming to increase the number of passengers it handles annually from 400,000 to six million. This expansion is set to offer more than just increased capacity, delivering” a luxury, immersive experience with state-of-the-art facilities.”
“We extend a warm welcome to our newest visitors to AlUla, the gateway to a world of history, culture, and adventure,” said Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla. “As our destination expands its offerings to international tourists, we are delighted to be included as a key addition to Gulf Air’s seasonal destinations for 2024 and look forward to showcasing the beauty and allure of this ancient destination to more travelers from around the world.”
Recently, Saudia Airlines expanded its operation at AlUla to increase connectivity to Europe through flights from Paris. Meanwhile, Royal Jordanian is poised to launch direct flights from Amman (AMM) to AlUla, with scheduled services due to start on February 16th, 2024. Direct flight options to AlUla are also available from Dubai, Doha, and various other cities within Saudi Arabia itself.