As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in becoming an international transportation and logistics hub and even intends to attract 150 million tourists by the end of the decade. Within this framework, the kingdom’s aviation authorities announced the establishment of an additional low-cost airline that will operate domestic and international routes.
The announcement of this new airline is surprising, since only in 2023 did Mohammed bin Salman declare the establishment of a new national carrier, Riyadh Air, expected to begin flying this year, with the stated goal of competing with the Gulf’s “big three”: Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways.
These airlines, based in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, have transformed their home airports into major international transit hubs, competing with longstanding carriers in Europe, North America, and Asia. Riyadh Air is expected to operate alongside Saudia, the well-established Saudi airline, which itself is in the process of upgrading its fleet with 118 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
From a geopolitical perspective, the intensifying competition is nothing less than a bid for sovereignty over trade routes. This is especially relevant given the economic weight of eastern Saudi Arabia, where the new low-cost airline will be based and will include concentrations of oil, refining, and transport infrastructure. From the kingdom’s perspective, this is a step aimed at diverting the air traffic flow from Dubai and Doha, signaling Saudi Arabia’s desire to reclaim market share at the expense of its neighbors. The expanding competition in the field is indeed tied to growing demand, but it faces operational challenges in harsh climate conditions and sensitivity to regional geopolitical considerations.
The aviation map in the Gulf is changing at a rapid pace, reflecting not only shifts in market forces but also deep national aspirations. The competition in the aviation sector among Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates is not merely a commercial struggle. Control over air corridors, transit hubs, and passenger flows affects not only economic diversification but also the projection of soft power.
The ability to host global events, attract investment, and facilitate the movement of tourism and pilgrimage integrates into broader geopolitical narratives. The Gulf states are using aviation as a tool for maintaining economic independence and international visibility. Yet behind the operational headlines lies a broader story of power projection, economic diversification, and strategic positioning within the Gulf and beyond.
As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in becoming an international transportation and logistics hub and even intends to attract 150 million tourists by the end of the decade. Within this framework, the kingdom’s aviation authorities announced the establishment of an additional low-cost airline that will operate domestic and international routes.
The announcement of this new airline is surprising, since only in 2023 did Mohammed bin Salman declare the establishment of a new national carrier, Riyadh Air, expected to begin flying this year, with the stated goal of competing with the Gulf’s “big three”: Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways.
These airlines, based in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, have transformed their home airports into major international transit hubs, competing with longstanding carriers in Europe, North America, and Asia. Riyadh Air is expected to operate alongside Saudia, the well-established Saudi airline, which itself is in the process of upgrading its fleet with 118 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
From a geopolitical perspective, the intensifying competition is nothing less than a bid for sovereignty over trade routes. This is especially relevant given the economic weight of eastern Saudi Arabia, where the new low-cost airline will be based and will include concentrations of oil, refining, and transport infrastructure. From the kingdom’s perspective, this is a step aimed at diverting the air traffic flow from Dubai and Doha, signaling Saudi Arabia’s desire to reclaim market share at the expense of its neighbors. The expanding competition in the field is indeed tied to growing demand, but it faces operational challenges in harsh climate conditions and sensitivity to regional geopolitical considerations.
The aviation map in the Gulf is changing at a rapid pace, reflecting not only shifts in market forces but also deep national aspirations. The competition in the aviation sector among Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates is not merely a commercial struggle. Control over air corridors, transit hubs, and passenger flows affects not only economic diversification but also the projection of soft power.
The ability to host global events, attract investment, and facilitate the movement of tourism and pilgrimage integrates into broader geopolitical narratives. The Gulf states are using aviation as a tool for maintaining economic independence and international visibility. Yet behind the operational headlines lies a broader story of power projection, economic diversification, and strategic positioning within the Gulf and beyond.