Saudi Arabia offers incentives to airlines fly unprofitable routes

The Saudi government plans to compensate airlines that open up unprofitable routes that will directly connect the kingdom to major cities around the world. — AP

Saudi Arabia is offering incentives to airlines to start flying unprofitable routes linking it to major global cities, as part of efforts to boost tourist arrivals and hit a goal of attracting 100 million visitors a year by 2030.

The government is offering the incentives as part of its Air Connectivity Program and is in talks with airlines about the plan that’s open to any carrier to receive support, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said in an interview. The kingdom has already signed a deal with national carrier Saudia to fly to Zurich and Barcelona as part of the programme.