Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) has highlighted the early days of air travel in Saudi Arabia, tracing its journey from the past to the present. This initiative is part of Darah’s cultural program, which aims to educate younger generations about the Kingdom’s vibrant history, culture, and geography.
Through the program, Darah narrates how aeroplanes were introduced to the Kingdom in an engaging video. In 1945, during a meeting with US President Franklin Roosevelt in the Suez Canal region, King Abdulaziz received a civilian DC-3 aircraft as a gift. Rather than keeping it, the King donated the aircraft to his people and purchased two more planes that year, used for passenger and mail transportation within the Kingdom. This action marked the beginning of air travel in Saudi Arabia.
The foundation described the early days of air travel as uncomplicated, with flights arranged based on the needs of the people and prevailing circumstances. As the demand for air travel grew, the f
leet expanded with ten more aircraft, improving flight operations. In 1963, a royal decree was issued to establish the Saudi Arabian Airlines. The foundation emphasized that the Kingdom has made remarkable progress in operating and maintaining aircraft at the highest levels.
The Antame Program leverages digital tools and entertainment to engage youth with Saudi Arabia’s rich history, which is in line with Vision 2030. It aims to showcase the Kingdom’s profound historical and cultural significance on local, regional, and global scales. The program encourages interaction with the Kingdom’s history, explores its stories and legends, instils pride in ancestors’ accomplishments, values, and ethics, and highlights Darah’s extensive collection of preserved historical heritage.
Darah offers an opportunity to explore the program and its content in the “Discover Our Stories” section. It also has dedicated sections for narratives, national beginnings, and markets. Additionally, there is an educational section aimed at
increasing knowledge and information on the Kingdom’s rich history, culture and development.
Source: Saudi Press Agency