Saudi Arabia to cut charges by 35% across its 3 major Airports

Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam airports will see a reduction in airport fees of up to 35% by the end of this year (2022), according to Saudi Arabia.

According to a Bloomberg article, this is an effort to compete in an area that already has some of the busiest passenger hubs in the world.

The reductions will take effect at the end of this year and will be applicable to the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The King Fahd Causeway sets the procedure for expatriate travel from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) states that this action is the next phase in the continuing privatization of the airport industry and gives airports the freedom to lower fees below the established ceilings in order to promote passenger traffic development.

Days after opening its airspace to all flights flying into and out of Israel, Saudi Arabia is already giving airlines incentives to fly unprofitable routes. The Kingdom wants to compete more effectively with important hubs in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two nearby countries. Saudi arrested for taking a Non-Muslim to Makkah

The move is a part of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to diversify away from oil and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s strategy to make Riyadh a hub of international commerce.