Riyadh: In a milestone agreement that reinforces AlUla’s position as a global logistics hub in north-west Saudi Arabia, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCA) has signed a partnership with Alliance Aviation Arabia, in the presence of Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser. This partnership aims to manage and operate the new Private Aviation Hangar at AlUla International Airport. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) Conference.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this collaboration responds to the growing demand for private aviation services at AlUla International Airport, which recorded nearly 7,000 private aircraft movements between 2023 and 2024. The increasing traffic highlighted the need for a dedicated private aviation hangar to serve the expanding market and provide a seamless experience for travelers, visitors, and investors.
The new private aviation hangar will offer a range of services, including ground handling and secure storage for mid-sized aircraft. The partnership will also create new economic opportunities for the region, aligning with RCU’s sustainable development goals and the broader ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. This strategic collaboration reflects RCU’s commitment to leveraging exceptional operational expertise in private aviation to enhance service quality, expand air connectivity and maintenance, and meet the aspirations of visitors and investors.
As part of the airport’s development, the main terminal building has been refurbished and the aircraft apron expanded to accommodate larger aircraft. These upgrades have increased passenger capacity from 100,000 to 700,000 travelers annually, addressing the rising demand from domestic and international visitors. The initiative marks a significant step towards RCU’s comprehensive masterplan for AlUla, targeting two million annual visitors and contributing SAR150 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2035.
The airside facilities have also been expanded, with the aircraft service apron enlarged to 89,000 square meters and taxiways extended by 110,000 square meters, enabling the airport to accommodate 15 aircraft simultaneously. AlUla International Airport is set to become one of the Kingdom’s largest airports, with a total area estimated at 2.4 million square meters. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art executive lounge has been established, featuring designs inspired by AlUla’s natural environment.
Reflecting its ongoing commitment to excellence, AlUla International Airport received Airport Customer Experience Accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) in 2023, recognizing its dedication to engaging with passengers and continuously improving service quality across all touchpoints.
The partnership between RCU and Alliance Aviation Arabia is part of a broader plan to develop AlUla International Airport, including new terminal expansions, additional service facilities, the introduction of a virtual air traffic control tower, and the enhancement of operational infrastructure to boost capacity and efficiency for domestic, regional, and international flights.
In 2024, the airport achieved a 365% increase in passenger numbers compared with 2021, while total domestic and international flights rose by 270% over the same period. The current expansion works include increasing the number of immigration counters in the arrival and departure halls to 18 counters, introducing self-service e-gates, and adding a dedicated baggage carousel in the international arrivals hall. These developments will significantly improve passenger flow and elevate the overall travel experience.
