NEOM Airlines, led by CEO Klaus Goersch, has announced that it will begin operations in 2024. The airline will focus on enabling travel for tourists, residents, and commercial partners to and from NEOM, initially using existing planes and retrofitting them with existing technology. Operations will begin from NEOM Bay Airport before moving to the soon-to-be-built NEOM International Airport. From 2026 onwards, NEOM Airlines plans to invest in ultra-modern aircraft, including electric, hydrogen-powered or supersonic planes, with next-generation interiors.
The airline also plans to use biometric facial recognition technology to replace departure gates and make travel visa-free. AECOM has been awarded a multi-year contract to provide project management consultancy services for NEOM International Airport. NEOM is a $500bn mega-city development located in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia.