Prince Sultan Airport is a cultural interface for the development of tourism in the Tabuk region

The General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) is working to develop a network of airports in the Kingdom, with the aim of keeping pace with the continuous growth in passenger traffic in cities and regions around the Kingdom. GACA is keen to equip and develop the infrastructure for the aviation sector to go hand in hand with the Kingdom's 2030 vision. Furthermore, it aims to apply the highest international standards in (28) Saudi airports around the Kingdom. GACA also aims to raise the level of services provided at airports and improve the traveler's experience in accordance with the best international standards.

It is worth noting, that Tabuk region is one of the important tourist and agricultural areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the region is distinguished by its historical monuments and scenic seashores, and by its wonderful atmosphere. Its mountains are covered with snow during the winter season making all the terrain bright white. Tabuk region also appears in the domestic tourism map because of its distinctive and varied tourist elements, such as the presence of valleys with high mountains and abundant water. This in addition to its agricultural nature that made Tabuk al-Ward a tourist destination for citizens and visitors alike.

In the year 2011, the Tabuk region witnessed an exceptional event in the field of air transport with the inauguration of the new Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport, which helped to double the number of travelers to the region and directly contributed to revitalizing the economic and tourism movement. The airport, which GACA helped developed according to the highest international standards and it can accommodate the increasing demand for air travel by the region’s residents and visitors alike. GACA kept pace with what Tabuk region witnessed in terms of development that included all sectors, so Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport was a cultural interface and an important economic tributary to the region.

In addition, GACA has completed many continuous development projects for Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, with the aim of improving facilities and providing integrated services for travelers to serve the residents of Tabuk region and the governorates and centers affiliated with it, along its visitors. The services provided to travelers at the Kingdom's airports, support the economic development process and achieves the strategic goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

It is worth noting, that Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk witnessed high air movement during the year 2019, as the official statistics of GACA recorded (1,786,960) passengers passing through the airport, with a growth percentage of more than (12%) for the year 2018.  While the number of flights reached (16,014) flights, an increase of (11%) over the year 2018. National and foreign airlines operate regular flights to and from Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, and the airport is linked by direct flights with (36) destinations, (20) of which are domestic destinations, which contributed to the development of tourism and economic activity in Tabuk region.