The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the country likely to have the largest fleet of airlines descending into Dubai for ATM 2025, reflecting on the dynamic growth of their aviation sector. Breaking Travel News aviation correspondent Phil Blizzard reports on the key players and provides a breakdown of the Saudi Arabian aviation market.

Saudia - formerly know as Saudi Arabian Airlines is based in Jeddah and is the flag carrier for KSA. This legacy full-service carrier has the most significant revenue share.

Riyadh Air -  new international carrier,  yet to be launched. The airline is generating a large amount of interest with their focus on premium flight experiences, including the numerous innovations which they will be offering their guests.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas has emphasized Riyadh Air’s commitment to being a digitally native airline, leveraging advanced technology to enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency

Flynas - Low-cost international and domestic airline with flexible fares, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The airline was founded in 2007 as Nas Air and rebranded as Flynas in 2013. It operates over 1,500 flights per week to more than 70 destinations in 30 countries and offers its passengers a number of booking class options. Flynas has been recognised with numerous World Travel Awards.

Flyadeal - Domestic & International LCC, with expansion plans to further develop international routes targeting price-sensitive business and family travellers. Steven Greenway, the CEO of flyadeal, is steering the airline towards a new era of exponential growth. with plans to reach 100 destinations by 2030.

Saudi Arabia - Market Size and Growth

The Saudi Arabian air traffic market is expected to reach $17.9 billion in 2025, growing at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.2% to $51.4 billion by 2035.

Estimated market size in 2025: $17.9 billion
Projected market size by 2035: $51.4 billion
CAGR (2025-2035): 11.2%

Domestic vs. International Passenger Traffic

Domestic passengers in 2024:  59 million, growing at 5.6% CAGR
International passengers in 2024 69million, growing at 8.9% CAGR
Projected domestic passengers by 2035:  83 million
Projected international passengers by 2035:  165 million

Market Share by Region

Middle East:  42% share, primarily traffic from UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain
Europe:  29% share, led by UK, Germany, and France
Asia-Pacific:  21% share, dominated by India, Pakistan, and Indonesia
Americas:  8% share, led by USA and Canada

Factors driving this growth
Saudi Arabia’s aviation market is driven by increasing regional connectivity, pilgrimage travel, and government initiatives like Vision 2030. The market is expected to witness significant growth, driven by expanding international routes, new airport developments, and increasing demand for air travel.

Arabian Travel Market 2025 - What to expect from the aviation sector

Some of the key themes to expect at ATM 2025 include:

Sustainable Aviation: Discussions on sustainable aviation fuels, reducing carbon emissions, and environmentally friendly practices.

Technology and Innovation: Showcase of AI-powered solutions, digital transformation, and innovative airport experiences.

Connectivity and Growth: Exploration of new routes, expanded networks, and increased connectivity between destinations.
Corporate Travel: Focus on the rebound of business travel, increased travel budgets, and the importance of corporate travel in fostering global connections.

Breaking Travel News will be at the Arabian Travel Market - covering the show with daily reports and video interviews - www.breakingtravelnews.com