NEOM Airlines takes flight in 2024, promising biometric check-ins, supersonic planes and global connectivity

NEOM Airlines will take flight from next year, promising everything from biometric check-ins, on-board gaming and supersonic flights. Led by ex-BA top boss Klaus Goersch, the aviation chief believes NEOM Airlines will do for the city what Emirates Airline did for Dubai.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince announced another national carrier, Riyadh Air , this month, too.

Operations will begin from the existing NEOM Bay Airport, before moving to the soon-to-be-built Neom International Airport.

In terms of connectivity, Goersch said “we have a global aviation hub on our hands,” with NEOM Airlines looking to spread all across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

NEOM Airlines’ futuristic approach

Looking to do away with carrying luggage yourself, applying for a visa and other “trials and tribulations of air travel,” Goersch likened the NEOM Airlines experience more to private aviation and being “in the 1 percent club.”

He went on: “Just imagine if your bags were collected from your home or office and delivered to the hotel or residence you were going to,” said Goersch. “Imagine if biometrics were advanced enough to recognise you via facial recognition as soon as you walked in a building, security clearing you for travel without the need for even going through a gate – let alone having to bother with a visa.”

Goersch said that the upcoming airline will look to redefine in-flight entertainment with 6G Wi-Fi, large screens at every seat, in-seat gaming and chat technology incorporated on aircraft.

“This new future is what we are building in the North West of Saudi Arabia,” said Goersch.

“The goal is to make the traveller journey as seamless as possible. Due to the fact we are building a new destination, new airports and a new airline all at the same time – there is a sense that we can achieve this to a level that just has not been seen before.”

‘What Emirates did for Dubai’

In terms of what the airline will do for the US$500bn super-city, he said: “The airline will be an extension of NEOM: The place, the company, the vision. We are there to enable the destination. Our goal is a holistic and interconnected approach, with NEOM Airlines enabling the gross domestic product of NEOM.

“Without Emirates, for example, there wouldn’t be a Dubai right? Be ready for a completely different travel experience.”

https://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/saudi-arabia/neom-airlines-confirmed-saudi-arabias-answer-to-emirates