Travelers had been waiting for the good news for some time. After all, Al-Ula in the desert of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been considered a magical destination for around two years. Architectural masterpieces, thousands of years of history and numerous luxurious hotels have transformed the oasis on the ancient incense route into one of the most popular off-the-beaten-track destinations in recent years.

© Habitas Al-Ula

Flights to Al-Ula

In order to make the destination attractive to even more travelers, the company invested heavily. So it wasn't long before an own airport was built in the desert. In February 2022, Saudia Airlines launched the first direct connection from Europe. The departure point is Paris Charles de Gaulle, the flight time from there is around five hours. However, the connection is unlikely to have caught on particularly well. The current rotation is a maximum of one flight per week on a maximum of three dates per month.

© Mateusz Suski

It's a good thing that Qatar Airways now also offers flights to Al-Ula. The first flight from Hamad International Airport in Doha took place on October 29, 2023. Passengers will have the opportunity to fly to Al-Ula twice a week with Qatar Airways. There's a choice of Fridays and Sundays.

Positioning as a tourist magnet

Al-Ula wants to further expand its status as a tourist destination with easier accessibility. The Vice President of Destination Marketing for the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Rami AlMoallim, welcomed the new connection by Qatar Airways: "Every milestone that has been achieved, from the opening of AlUla Airport to its remarkable expansion and the increase in flight connections, has been created with the aim of welcoming travelers to this fascinating destination that has to be seen and experienced to be believed."

© RCU

In fact, the region is not exactly short of wonders. For example, you can marvel at excavations of Nabataean tombs, admire the mirrored Maraya Concert Hall and be enchanted by the sparkling starry sky in the Al-Gharameel nature reserve. Modern restaurants and high-priced luxury hotels do the rest to underline the magic of the oasis.

Read more: The magic of Al-Ula