AlUla International Airport welcomed its first direct international flight, operated by leading low-cost Saudi carrier flynas, from Dubai, with a traditional water cannon salute and a Nabataean cultural performance in the presence of airport officials.

 

The flynas XY219 took off from Dubai at 11.30am and arrived in AlUla at 1.40pm, thus marking the first international passenger flight to land into the ancient city of AlUla, said a statement from Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

 

Director at AlUla International Airport, Abdulwahab Bokhari, received the delegation along with government officials and representatives from RCU and flynas, while artists and traditional music performers welcomed the rest of the passengers with flowers and refreshments.

 

According to RCU, the new flynas launch opens up the horizons for visitors from Dubai and the world to journey into 200,000 years of unexplored human history.

 

The Arabian desert city has long been an international crossroads of civilisations. The new international flights open the region up further to visitors keen to explore the boutique heritage and cultural destination.

 

Coined ‘the world's largest living museum’ AlUla is one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has some of the most well-preserved ancient antiquities that dates back for many thousands of years.

 

AlUla has made headlines around the world in recent months with the visionary masterplan ‘Journey Through Time’ launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, RCU Chairman.

 

The ‘Journey Through Time’ plan details the visionary development of a sustainable and authentic visitor destination that will welcome 2 million visitors annually by 2035.

 

The schedule of international and domestic flights from/to AlUla will be:

 

New international routes;

3 weekly flights between AlUla & Dubai

2 weekly flights between AlUla & Kuwait

 

Domestic routes;

4 weekly flights between AlUla & Riyadh

3 weekly flights between AlUla & Jeddah

3 weekly flights between AlUla & Dammam

 

Flight duration from Dubai International Airport to AlUla International Airport on flynas is 3 hours.

 

AlUla Airport was officially named an international airport in February. With the recent renovations and upgrades in design, the airport's capacity has now gone from 100,000 passengers a year to 400,000 per annum.

 

According to RCU, the three-weekly Dubai-AlUla route is timed to coincide with the winter event season which is well underway in Saudi Arabia. AlUla has announced the return of Winter at Tantora (WAT) among three other distinct festivals under the banner of AlUla Moments.

 

With a packed 2022 events calendar, including musical concerts at Maraya such as Faia Younan, renowned singer Lena Shamamian on December 10 and Algerian icon Cheb Khaled (December 17), the ancient city is set to offer its visitors unparalleled experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian, gastronomy and astronomy.

 

Accepting online bookings, a ‘mobile lab’ has been recently launched for the residents and visitors of AlUla with laboratories and drive-through stations established across the city making the journey for international travellers easier than ever, it added.