Beond, an airline operating in the premium price segment, intends to expand its route network with direct connections from European cities to Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The company signed a corresponding letter of intent with the Saudi Arabian Air Connectivity Program (ACP). In addition to Munich and Zurich, the agreement also includes flight routes from London, Paris, Moscow, and Milan. As reported by the Saudi Arabian state news agency SPA, the cooperation aims to improve accessibility to the Red Sea tourist region for international passengers.
Beond will operate its flights using Airbus A319 and A321 aircraft, all equipped with a full business-class cabin. With this offering, the airline is targeting discerning leisure travelers. The project aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" economic policy agenda, which focuses on strengthening international tourism and developing the necessary infrastructure. Red Sea International Airport will serve as a central hub for accessing several newly constructed hotel complexes on the country's west coast.
Government start-up funding and support through programs like the Air Connectivity Program play a crucial role in the implementation of these flight connections. Direct links to European financial and economic centers such as Zurich and Munich will allow affluent travelers to reach their destinations without stopovers at major airports like Riyadh or Jeddah. At the same time, the agreement strengthens the Red Sea airport's position in the regional competition for international visitors.
Aviation analysts view Beond's business model, which focuses primarily on exclusive holiday routes, with skepticism. The airline's reliance on government subsidies and grants highlights the difficulty of ensuring the occupancy rates of purely exclusive cabin configurations on long-haul flights without financial support. Whether demand on routes from Munich and Zurich will remain at a consistently profitable level outside of peak seasons remains to be seen.