Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al-Qassim has welcomed the first scheduled flight operated by Tarco Aviation on the new Qassim–Khartoum route. The service runs weekly, one-way, starting August 23, 2026, adding a fresh international link for travelers in Buraidah and the wider Al-Qassim region.
The airport, which serves Buraidah and Al-Qassim under the IATA code ELQ and was formerly known as Qassim International Airport, is steadily expanding its international connectivity. The new Tarco Aviation service joins other recent growth from the airport, giving residents more direct options without routing through larger hubs.
What travelers should know
Fares on Tarco Aviation are listed in multiple currencies on the airline's booking platform. Publicly listed sample one-way international fares on other routes from the Kingdom start from around SAR 1,100–1,200 including taxes and charges, suggesting a similar band for short and medium-haul regional routes. Exact current fares for Qassim–Khartoum should be confirmed on the airline's official booking page or through approved travel agents at the time of purchase.
Standard Saudi aviation charges, such as passenger service and security fees, remain embedded in ticket prices, and no fixed fee unique to this flight has been publicly listed. Airline ticketing, check-in, and boarding are handled through the carrier's own channels rather than government platforms.
For Saudi and resident passengers, travel-related government processes tied to international flights — including exit and re-entry visas for expatriates, resident permit validity, and travel ban checks — continue to be managed through أبشر and مقيم where applicable. Standard visa and iqama validity periods remain unchanged in 2026, and existing airport security and customs procedures apply as usual.
The new route reflects the growing role of regional airports in connecting Saudi communities to nearby international destinations, offering travelers in Al-Qassim greater convenience and choice.
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