First Resumed Flight between Abha and Doha, Lands at Abha International Airport

Air Connectivity Program (ACP) welcomes Qatar Airways for the resumption of direct flights between Doha and Abha, in cooperation with Discover Aseer and the Abha International Airport.

The Air Connectivity Program, alongside its partners, Discover Aseer, the Abha International Airport, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Qatar Airways, celebrated the resumption of direct flights between Doha and Abha. This significant milestone is part of Saudi Arabia’s 2024 National Aviation Strategy, “Connecting the World to the Kingdom,” which aims to increase the number of air passengers to 330 million and expand international connections to more than 250 to the Kingdom by 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global travel and tourism hub.

The flights will bolster Aseer’s efforts to become a tourist destination within the Kingdom, the Arabian Gulf region and globally. Aseer plans to welcome 9.1 million annual visitors by 2030 as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to become a tourism hub with 150 million annual visitors within five years.

The region’s tourism efforts are spurring infrastructure and connectivity projects. The Abha International Airport will accommodate 13 million passengers annually after the completion of its expansion, a development that reflects Discover Aseer’s efforts to place the region on the global tourism map with its unique culture, nature and heritage. 

Saudi representatives from Discover Aseer, ACP and Abha International Airport attended the arrival of the Qatar Airways flight. From his side, Hatim Al-Harbi, Chief of Tourism at the Aseer Development Authority (ASDA), said: “The resumption of flights by Qatar Airways between Doha and Aseer marks a pivotal milestone in our vision to position Aseer as an all-year-round tourist destination. This initiative contributes significantly to our target of welcoming 9.1 million annual visitors in Aseer by 2030. This is more than just a route between two cities – it is a gateway to the future of tourism in Aseer. It is just the beginning of many steps aimed at transforming the region into a thriving destination for visitors from across the world.”

Majid Khan, CEO of the Air Connectivity Program, said: “The cooperation between the Air Connectivity Program and Qatar Airways is a significant step in enhancing the Kingdom’s air connectivity. This partnership not only connects our two countries but also opens doors for global visitors to explore the unique experiences that the Kingdom offers.”

Cluster 2 Airports Company Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ali Masrahi:

“The commencement of direct flights between Doha and Abha represents a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This new route will not only facilitate travel for tourists and business visitors but also contribute substantially to the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy. By improving accessibility to the Asir region, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, these flights will boost local economies, create employment opportunities, and showcase the Kingdom’s diverse offerings to a global audience. This initiative underscores a commitment to expanding air networks, fostering international cooperation, and achieving the ambitious goals set forth for the growth of the tourism and aviation sectors in Saudi Arabia”.

The launch of this new route is in line with the objectives of the Air Connectivity Program, which focuses on expanding the Kingdom’s air links to global markets and providing seamless travel experiences for visitors. It paves the way for future collaborations with Qatar Airways to expand to more destinations.