GACA: In the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad, Deputy Governor of Hail The General Authority of

With the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad, Deputy Governor of Hail, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) awarded Nesma Airways Air Operator License which will give it the rights to run regular domestic and international flights to and from the Kingdom's airports, starting from Hail Regional Airport, which the company have chosen as the hub for their operations.
Capt. Abdulhakim Albadur, Assistant to GACA President for Safety, Security and Air Transport stated during a speech at License handing ceremony, that Nesma Airlines have met all the necessary requirements be it economic and regulatory requirement and met the conditions and standards of air safety. The airlines have conducted test flights in the presence of GACA technical staff to ensure the readiness of the company and its technical capabilities.
He pointed out that the company has to provide proof of its financial capacity to ensure the continuity in the provision of the services required, and therefore we expect them to do their part in serving the traveling public as expected.

He went on to say that having to work alongside Saudia Airlines, Nas Air, and Saudi Gulf Air will bring about more competition in the provision of services related to air transport and the travel market within the Kingdom. Achieving the desire balance between supply and demand, which will effect travelers in a very positive way. This will also help in reducing high ticket prices and provide more flights and seats in any given route. He added that one of the benefits also involves operating modern aircrafts, provide distinct reservation services and greatly improve travel procedures using the latest available technology.

He pointed out that the issuance of more operator licenses to new national company comes hand in hand with the steps that GACA is taking in implementing its privatization drive in all of the Kingdom airports. This will achieve high proficiency of those airports and will raise the level of performance, which will put in a very competitive position, enable to acquire a share of the regional and international air transport market.
He pointed to the issuance of royal approval of allocating an annual sum of money to subsidies routes with low passenger's traffic, which GACA will determined to ensure the continuation of flights from small airports that are not economically viable for air carries due to the very small number of flights and limited passenger's traffic. This reflects on the great interest the wise leadership of this country in meeting the needs of its citizens, while maintaining the economic wellbeing of the air transport industry.

Albadur stressed that Hail Airport enjoys a viable technical and operational capabilities, development plans, a distinct geographical location and an increase demand for air travel, all this will enhance the investment feasibility in the airport and provides plenty of opportunities for success that we expect to achieve, not only with Nesma, but also in other companies and institutions willing to operate and invest in the airport. He went on to say that the airport witnessed an increase in the number of passengers in 2015 by 14.4% compared to 2014, while the percentage increase in the number of flights amounted to 15% and is expected to increase steadily. An increase that will reflects positively on the number of investments at the airport and a great benefits for the airliners operating to and from the airport.

Hail Regional Airport is the first airport within a national project for hub airports that GACA is implementing based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. All in an effort to find suitable solutions to provide air transport services for travelers all over the Kingdom and by providing a wider choices for travelers and to improve the quality of services for the flying public by given them a wider options in reaching their destinations through hub airports and by increasing the number of flights to and from major airports.