NEOM Airlines will begin operating in 2024, says its CEO Klaus Goersch.
Operations will begin from the existing NEOM Bay Airport, before moving to the soon-to-be-built Neom International Airport.
Operations will begin with existing planes, but the airline is planning to invest in ultra-modern aircraft from 2026 onwards.
NEOM Airlines
Klaus Goersch, the airline’s CEO, said: “The airline will be operational at the end of 2024 and will be focused on enabling travel for tourists, residents, and commercial partners to and from NEOM.
“In the first instance out of NEOM Bay Airport, which is already open with Saudia flights domestically as well as to London and Dubai, and then from the NEOM International Airport later in the cycle.
“Our resorts will be going live in early 2024, so we need to service that demand quickly, initially retrofitting existing aircraft with existing technology.
“But come 2026 onwards, there will be new innovative aircraft – whether it be electric, hydrogen-powered or supersonic – and next-generation interiors coming online from us.
Goersch is a former chief operating officer of British Airways and Air Canada.
He said the new airline is also planning to use biometric facial recognition technology to replace departure gates and make travel visa-free.
“Just imagine if your bags were collected from your home or office and delivered to the hotel or residence you were going to,” said Goersch. “Imagine if biometrics were advanced enough to recognise you via facial recognition as soon as you walked in a building, security clearing you for travel without the need for even going through a gate – let alone having to bother with a visa.”
The ambitious plans were revealed in an article on the company website.
Goersch said that the upcoming airline will look to redefine in-flight entertainment with 6G Wi-Fi, large screens at every seat, in-seat gaming and chat technology incorporated on aircraft.
“This new future is what we are building in the North West of Saudi Arabia,” said Goersch.
“The goal is to make the traveller journey as seamless as possible. Due to the fact we are building a new destination, new airports and a new airline all at the same time – there is a sense that we can achieve this to a level that just has not been seen before.”
The $500bn mega-city development has appointed a management partner for its international airport.
AECOM has been awarded a multi-year contract to provide project management consultancy services for NEOM International Airport (NIA), in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia.
AECOM’s scope will include project management for master-planning, design and construction services, through to testing, commissioning, operational readiness, activation and transition.
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