AIUla International Airport in Saudi Arabia serves the oasis city of AIUla. It’s located around 15 miles southeast of the city, and the drive between the two takes around 25 minutes. The airport was previously known as Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport.
Both commercial and civil aviation flights operate to and from AIUla International Airport. Commercial carriers mainly serve destinations in the Middle East and Europe via scheduled and charter flights. The airport also handles private jet flights, and a few car rental companies offer vehicle hire at AIUla airport.
This AIUla International Airport guide shares all you should know about the airport, as well as this appealing part of Saudi Arabia. Local attractions include ancient archaeological sites, sandstone rock formations, a desert oasis, a nature reserve, and AIUla’s charming local old town and castle.
Key Information
Airport Name: AIUla International Airport
IATA / ICAO Code: ULH / OEAO
Location: 15 miles southeast of AIUla, Saudi Arabia
Opening times: AIUla International Airport is open 24 hours a day
Terminals: ULH has an existing terminal, plus a second one under construction
FBO Information
AIUla International Airport’s Fixed Base Operator is FBO concierge, who provide private and general aviation services throughout Saudi Arabia. They supply in-flight catering as well as ground handling, jet refuelling and more, ensuring a smooth transition for every elite passenger.
Facilities & Other Services
Wi-Fi: Free WiFi is supplied at AIUla International Airport
Lounges: An Alfursan executive lounge is available at ULH
Shopping: The second terminal at AIUla International Airport will offer a range of retailers
Restaurants and Cafes: The new terminal at ULH will have places to eat and drink
Currency Exchange: Omlah Exchange Co can be found at AIUla International Airport
Medical Facilities: ULH airport offers access to emergency medical care
Car Rental: AIUla International Airport offers Alrehaili, Budget, and Lumi car rental outlets
Airlines: A number of scheduled and charter companies operate flights, as well as private charter airplanes
About AIUla International Airport
AIUla International Airport has been operating since 2011 and underwent major expansion work in 2021. Since the latter, it has been an international airport. Before the 2021 expansion, it was called Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport, after a prominent businessman and politician.
The airport is about 25 minutes by car from the city, or around 15 miles southeast of AIUla. An expansion programme is currently underway to create a second terminal at the airport, satisfying growing demand. The expansion is overseen by the Royal Commission for AIUla.
This new terminal will offer shopping, dining, a hotel, and a spa, with a design sympathetic to the natural surroundings. Currently, the airport has a single terminal and limited facilities, but by 2035, the city should be ready to receive two million visitors per year. AIUla International was the first airport in Saudi Arabia to be designed for the purposes of tourism.
A number of airlines operate scheduled and seasonal charter flights at ULH. Scheduled flights are available between AIUla and destinations such as Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh in the Middle East. There are also scheduled services to European cities such as Berlin, Munich, Brussels, and Prague.
AIUla Area Travel Guide
Visit AIUla and you can discover well-preserved desert tombs, cliff-face inscriptions, the old town, an ancient oasis in the city, a local nature reserve, and more.
Jabal Ikmah
Jabal Ikmah is quite possibly the most unique outdoor library on earth, due to the series of inscriptions carved into the area’s cliff faces. There are thousands from pre-Arabic times, plus more than 450 from early Arabic days, telling stories from historic civilisations.
Hegra
Visit Hegra in the desert to see over 100 tomb facades. These date from between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC, aka the Nabataean period. Highlights include the Tomb of Lihyan, the natural Siq passageway between two rock stacks, and the Diwan meeting place, which was carved from the rock by man.
Sharaan Nature Reserve
Head to the canyons, open desert, valleys, and rocks of the 1,500 square kilometre Sharaan Nature Reserve to spot the likes of large-eared red foxes, Arabian wolves, gazelles, red-necked ostriches, eagles, and bee-eaters. There is also a programme underway to reintroduce the endangered Arabian leopard.
Old Town and AIUla Castle
Strolling around the characterful streets of AlUla Old Town is also a must, and the area is filled with traditional homes, wall murals, and places to eat and drink. You can climb the steps of the castle from the centre, too, for panoramic views over the mud brick buildings.
AIUla Oasis
Don’t miss AIUla Oasis if you want to see a real-life oasis in the Arabian desert, which dates from the first millennium BC. A two-hour walk will take you there from the old town, and there’s the Pink Camel cafe for refreshments, plus the original courtyards which pilgrims used to recuperate from their long journeys. The site is also rich in local flora and birdlife.
AIUla Climate
As you might expect AIUla has a desert climate. The summers are very long, hot, and dry, while the shorter winters are also dry, but cooler. Clear skies are the norm all year round.
Winter temperatures in AIUla are comparable to summer temperatures in cooler countries, such as the UK and northern parts of the US. Even between December and February, daily highs of 23°C to 25°C (73°F to 77°F) can be expected.
During summer, expect the weather to hit around 43°C (109°F) during the July and August peak. In June and September, temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F), while during spring and autumn, temperatures tend to reach about 29°C to 39°C (84°F to 102°F).
There is virtually no rain in AIUla. Winter is wetter than summer, but even then it only rains half a day per month on average, or even less. Humidity levels are also very low in this dry desert climate.
Why not travel by private jet charter to AIUla International Airport in the Saudi Arabian desert? If you want to enjoy the style, exclusivity, comfort, and privacy of a private jet when visiting this part of the Middle East, our team is available 24/7.
