Calls for an increase in budget flights to revive domestic tourism in Saudi Arabia
Every year on December 7th, the world celebrates International Civil Aviation Day, an occasion established by the United Nations General Assembly to emphasize the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of nations. This celebration highlights the pivotal role of the air transport sector in fostering cultural exchange, facilitating global trade, and its vital humanitarian role in providing rapid response to disasters and crises through air bridges.
In Saudi Arabia, this day coincides with historic transformations in the sector within the objectives of Vision 2030, as the Kingdom launched the National Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect the Kingdom to 250 international destinations and reach 330 million passengers annually by 2030. Despite these qualitative leaps in infrastructure, the voice of the citizen still aspires to more competitiveness that touches his daily needs.
Calls for price reductions to support tourism
In a field survey conducted by Al-Youm newspaper to coincide with this occasion, a number of citizens expressed their pride in the rapid development of Saudi airports, but they unanimously agreed on the need to review pricing policies. Citizen Faisal Salman affirmed that services have undergone a qualitative leap, making travel procedures more streamlined. However, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the high prices of domestic flights, which can exceed those of international flights during certain seasons. He suggested increasing the number of direct international flights and focusing on punctuality.
For her part, Mariam Al-Mahawish pointed out that the digital transformation at airports has facilitated the travel experience, but the high cost of tickets is a major obstacle to the growth of domestic tourism, pushing families to seek cheaper international alternatives. Al-Mahawish emphasized the importance of having additional airlines to create price competition, along with focusing on the entertainment options available in airport lounges.
Budget aviation is an urgent necessity
In a related context, Asil Abdulrahman believes that expanding low-cost airlines is no longer a luxury but a pressing necessity, especially for students, patients, and frequent travelers. She explained that global experience has proven that fair competition is the only way to reduce prices and improve quality, which is particularly relevant given the Kingdom's vast geographical area.
Regarding infrastructure, Abdulrahman Al-Suwailem praised the level Saudi airports have reached regionally, emphasizing that punctuality is the primary measure of passenger satisfaction, despite some complaints about baggage delays. Muaid Al-Shatiri concurred, highlighting the use of smart technologies such as self-service gates, which have significantly reduced waiting times, and predicting a promising future for the airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Challenges of regional airports
The plight of the provinces was also highlighted, with Sarah Salman pointing out the limited flights at regional airports like Al-Ahsa Airport, forcing residents to travel via Dammam Airport and endure the hardship of the journey. She called for greater activation of airports in densely populated provinces to alleviate pressure on the main airports.
In conclusion, the Saudi aviation sector remains a fundamental pillar of the national economy, as it contributes directly to supporting the tourism and logistics sectors. These popular demands confirm the community’s awareness of the importance of the sector and their keenness to ensure that the services provided keep pace with the major national aspirations.
