AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – January 2024:  The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) announced today the official inauguration of direct flights between Doha and AlUla by Qatar Airways. The ceremony was presided over by His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, the Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, in the esteemed presence of His Excellency Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, the Minister of Culture of the State of Qatar.
 
Commenting on the inauguration of direct flights to AlUla from Doha, HH. Prince Badr Bin Abdullah stated, 'The inauguration of the direct flight route between Doha and AlUla underscores the ongoing commitment to collaborative efforts between brotherly nations, fostering stronger ties through advanced transport networks.' 
 
HH. further emphasised, 'As part of our strategic initiatives, we are working in travel and tourism infrastructure development in line with the anticipated surge in flights to AlUla, which contributes into achieving our vision to transform the city into a global tourist destination. The increased number of international flights will play a pivotal role in elevating AlUla’s tourism growth, in cooperation with our regional counterparts.'
 
HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatari Minister of Culture remarked, “the launch of flights from Doha to AlUla represents an important step in affirming the role of the Culture, Tourism and Entertainment Committee of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council to further enhance the joint action and highlight its role in strengthening cultural ties.” 
 
HE. added, “Cultural heritage is a crucial factor in shaping awareness, renewing people’s thoughts about it, and preserving it. It is one of the components that unite the societies and reflect their expression of pride in their shared heritage.”
 
The Royal Commission for AlUla is actively working to establish air connectivity with various international and local destinations, in the aim of positioning AlUla as a global travel and logistics hub in the northwest of the Kingdom. This aligns with a comprehensive plan to increase the capacity of AlUla International Airport, from its current 400 thousand passengers, to 6 million annually.
 
AlUla International Airport has undergone multiple development projects in the past few years, focusing on enhancing passenger reception efficiency and delivering comprehensive services to residents and visitors of AlUla. In March 2021, the airport achieved international status, expanding its total area to approximately 2.4 million square meters, with the flight deck capable of accommodating 15 aircraft simultaneously.
 
Qatar Airways direct flights to AlUla are facilitating broadening the travel options for both tourists and visitors and connecting AlUla seamlessly with Qatar Airways' extensive network of over 100 international destinations. This strategic collaboration supports RCU’s objectives to elevate AlUla's positionning among global destinations and offers diverse travel programs for exploring the natural and cultural various attractions of AlUla.
 
Located 1,100km from Riyadh, the historic city of AlUla was once a major trade hub situated at the crossroads of ancient civilisations. It is also home to the archaeological site of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. AlUla is home to a number of high end resorts and hotels and is hosting an array of cultural, arts, heritage and adventure events throughout the year.