NEOM Airlines: An Outlandish New Saudi Airline

Saudi Arabia is currently investing an unheard of amount of money in its tourism industry. Part of this plan includes launching Riyadh Airlines, a new mega-airline that’s intended to compete with Emirates. As it turns out, that’s not the only new airline that the country is launching. Say hello to NEOM Airlines.

The basics of NEOM Airlines

NEOM Airlines is a new airline concept that’s in the process of being launched, as it’s to be based at NEOM Bay Airport. For context, NEOM is Crowne Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s $500 billion futuristic mega project. Most significantly, this is where “The Line” is being built, which is Saudi Arabia’s new smart city that looks… almost not real?

More from OMAAT VACAYA Plans First-Ever “Arabian Nights” Saudi Arabia Gay Cruise Read more

The Line is intended to eventually house nine million people, who will live in interconnected societies run by artificial intelligence. This will be a 170 kilometer coastal strip that will be free of cars and streets, and will allegedly have zero carbon emissions. Excavation is underway, and it’s expected that this will open in the coming years.

The region is also expected to have a massive airport by 2030, which will be one of the largest in the world when complete.

So, what’s the plan for NEOM Airlines, and how does the airline fit into this vision?

• The company’s CEO is Klaus Goersch, a veteran airline executive who was previously COO at both Air Canada and British Airways
• The airline plans to launch in late 2024, initially operating aircraft that were acquired secondhand; starting in 2026, the airline will introduce “new innovative aircraft, whether it be electric, hydrogen-powered, or supersonic”
• Planes will be equipped with “big screens” at every seat that are compatible with your own device, and the airline plans to “offer 6G Wi-Fi and will accommodate gaming and chat”
• All flights will have some sustainable fuel onboard, originating from mixing facilities in NEOM
• The airline will fly from NEOM to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas

Here’s how Goersch describes his plan for the airline:

I’ve worked for some of the world’s biggest airlines, including British Airways and Air Canada, but I can honestly say the opportunity here is way beyond anything else out there. There is a freedom in starting from zero and being well funded enough to explore the ideas that challenge the accepted norms. We can be futuristic and efficient, we don’t have to modify or retrofit.

The airline will be an ambassador, a showcase for NEOM. Therefore, it has to be a very good product and it has to reflect the values of the overall project. It’s not just an airline, it’s a brand extension and a linear part of the travel experience because you remember the way you got there as well as the place itself. Our ultimate ambition is that you will not think about being on a plane or in an airport, you will simply enjoy the experience. Wouldn’t that be something?

My take on NEOM Airlines

I have to be honest, I’m incredibly intrigued by what Saudi Arabia is doing at the moment when it comes to tourism and building cities of the future. Let me be very clear — I have obvious concerns about Saudi Arabia, so I’m not trying to gloss over those issues or fawn over the country.

However, we’ve never in history seen a country invest so much money in essentially trying to build a tourism industry from scratch. This is a country that until several years ago didn’t even allow non-religious tourism, and it’s now trying to become a tourist global hotspot. There’s no denying that Saudi Arabia is willing to invest the money, but the question is whether the country can build something that people will want to experience, especially given the country’s historical reputation.

More specific to NEOM Airlines, I have a few thoughts:

• Saudi Arabia is going all-in on its NEOM development, so it’s logical that the country would be looking to establish significant air service there, beyond the limited service currently offered by Saudia
• I can’t for the life of me wrap my head around why Saudi Arabia is investing in a few different airlines, as you’ll essentially have the same owners behind Saudia, Riyadh Airlines, and NEOM Airlines; why not just build one big airline from scratch, as that seems most efficient?
• NEOM Airlines has a respected airline executive behind it, and I believe this airline is “serious,” though the concept behind it almost seems so outlandish as to not be real; for example, the airline plans to acquire new aircraft by 2026, and is considering electric, hydrogen-powered, and supersonic planes?

Bottom line

NEOM is one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest new developments, and the country plans to invest in a new airline to be based there. The airline is expected to be launched in 2024, initially operating used aircraft, and then by 2026 the airline should be flying new aircraft. Saudi Arabia is also building one of the world’s biggest airports in NEOM, which this new airline will eventually call home.

While I can appreciate that Saudi Arabia is going all-in on tourism, what I find most confusing is that the country plans on having three government-owned airlines, rather than creating one huge airline. Why not have a single national airline, rather than separate airlines based in Jeddah, Riyadh, and NEOM?

What do you make of the plans for NEOM Airlines?