Saudi airline flynas opens up the horizons for visitors from Dubai and the world to journey into 200,000 years of unexplored human history.
AlUla International Airport received today its first-ever direct international flight, operated by leading low-cost Saudi Airline flynas.
flynas XY219 departed DXB at 11:30 and touched down in AlUla at 13:40 on Friday 19th November marking the first international passenger flight to the ancient city of AlUla.
The aircraft was welcomed at AlUla International Airport with a traditional water cannon salute and a Nabataean cultural performance in the presence of airport officials and media.
The director at AlUla International Airport, Abdulwahab Bokhari, received the delegation along with government officials and representatives from RCU and flynas, while artists and traditional music performers welcomed the rest of the passengers with flowers and refreshments.
The Arabian desert city has long been an international crossroads of civilizations. The new international flights open the region up further to visitors keen to explore the boutique heritage and cultural destination.
Coined ‘the world’s largest living museum’ AlUla is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has some of the most well-preserved ancient antiquities that dates back for many thousands of years.
AlUla has made headlines around the world in recent months with the visionary master plan ‘Journey Through Time’ launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the Royal Commission for AlUla.
The ‘Journey Through Time’ plan details the visionary development of a sustainable and authentic visitor destination that will welcome 2 million visitors annually by 2035.
The three-weekly Dubai-AlUla route is timed to coincide with the winter event season which is well underway in Saudi Arabia. AlUla has announced the return of Winter at Tantora (WAT) among three other distinct festivals under the banner of AlUla Moments.
With a packed 2022 events calendar, including musical concerts at Maraya such as Faia Younan on 19 November, renowned singer Lena Shamamian, 10 December, and Algerian icon Cheb Khaled, 17 December, the ancient city is set to offer its visitors unparalleled experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian, gastronomy, and astronomy.
The schedule of international and domestic flights from/to AlUla will be:
New international routes;
3 weekly flights between AlUla & Dubai
2 weekly flights between AlUla & Kuwait
Domestic routes;
4 weekly flights between AlUla & Riyadh
3 weekly flights between AlUla & Jeddah
3 weekly flights between AlUla & Dammam
AlUla Airport was officially named an international airport in February 2021. The airport with recent renovations and upgrades in design and capacity has gone from 100,000 passengers a year to 400,000 a year.