Saudi Arabia has announced a new airline to bring in tourists as it tries to attract 100 million visitors to the kingdom by 2030

Saudi Arabia has announced a new airline to bring in tourists as it tries to attract 100 million visitors to the kingdom by 2030

Saudi Arabia is not historically known for its , but the country is hoping to win over global tourists with reformed social laws and a new way to access the kingdom. On Sunday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced Riyadh Air — a new national airline that will connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations across the globe by 2030. Former Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas was appointed CEO of the company, which is wholly owned by the country's Public Investment Fund. Riyadh Air will be in addition to based in Jeddah — and will have its hub at Riyadh's King Salman International Airport. The space is currently being "The new national carrier will leverage Saudi Arabia's strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism," the country said in a press release. , Riyadh Air, which is expected to generate $20 billion in "non-oil GDP growth" and create over 200,000 jobs, is hiring pilots for a Boeing fleet. The Wall Street Journal reported the The news comes as the Middle East's biggest country hopes to attract some 100