Riyadh, July 20 (QNA) - The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced that a consortium of three companies has won the bid to launch and operate a new low-cost Saudi airline, which will serve as a national budget carrier based at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

In a statement on its official account on the social media platform 'X', GACA explained that the consortium consists of UAE-based Air Arabia and the Saudi companies KUN Investment Holding and Nesma.

The new airline will operate 24 domestic and 57 international routes, with plans to transport 10 million passengers annually using a fleet of 45 aircraft.

GACA added that this initiative aims to strengthen air connectivity for Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, expand seating capacity, and provide passengers with more competitive travel options. (QNA)