The transport ministry, which has not released details of the plans, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Saudi expansion threatens to sharpen a battle for passengers at a time when travel has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Long-haul flights like those operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways are forecast to take the longest to recover. Riyadh has already moved to compete with the UAE, the region's business, trade and tourism hub. People familiar with the matter said the new Saudi airline could be based in the capital Riyadh, and that sovereign wealth fund PIF is helping set it up.

Source: bd News24 July 02, 2021 09:56 UTC