Saudi futuristic smart-city NEOM to launch commercial flights to Dubai

Saudi Arabia will start commercial flights next month from its newly developed, futuristic smart city NEOM.

The kingdom’s flag carrier Saudia Airlines will launch its first flight from NEOM Bay Airport to Dubai in June, making it the first regular international commercial service serving the new city.

Flights to London are also expected in a second phase, but details are yet to be released.

In partnership with @Saudi_Airlines🤝, we're proud to announce the upcoming international flights to NEOM✈️, improving access for those building the world's most ambitious project.
Starting with Dubai🇦🇪 in June, and London🇬🇧 to follow soon✈️.

Learn more: https://t.co/vTvSfIK00L pic.twitter.com/67fFfZbGbo

— NEOM (@NEOM) May 23, 2022

"This partnership is in line with Saudia’s ambition to support Saudi Vision 2030 by increasing passenger traffic domestically and regionally, as well as expanding our connections to global cities," said Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Airlines, according to The National.

Charter flights have been operating to and from NEOM Bay Airport since 2019.

One of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious plans in a massive diversification drive, NEOM is a futuristic city created from scratch in a sparsely populated corner of northwest of the kingdom.

The multi-billion dollar project will include flying cars and an artificial moon according to some reports.

It will also incorporate 'The Line', a 170km neighbourhood set on a linear design which it hopes will host around a million people and some of the world's biggest tech companies.

NEOM is an acronym for "New Future".