Our history

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We are driven by the curiosity to explore. Starting with just a small group of intrepid explorers, our history goes back to the early 1930s and the sands of the Saudi Arabian desert.

Person standing next to a Mukamalah airplane in the Saudi Arabian desert

1934

Mukamalah’s first aircraft, a “Fairchild 71”, was mainly used for oil exploration through the vast Saudi desert.

Three people waving at an airplane flying by at a landing strip

1943

Mukamalah’s DC-3 aircraft during Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s visit to San Francisco, the historic first royal visit to the United States.

Truck parked in front a Mukamalah airplane and people carrying cargo

1952

As oil demand grew globally, especially in Europe, Saudi Aramco tried finding newer and more cost-effective supply routes. One major route was the Trans-Arabian Pipeline to the Sidon (Sayda) terminal in Lebanon. Mukamalah’s DC-4 aircraft (pictured above) played a role transporting engineers and personnel, as well as patrolling the pipeline daily and ensuring its safety. Mukamalah also played a role in transporting and importing fresh produce and dairy products from Lebanon to Saudi Arabia.

A group of people standing next to a Saudi Aramco (Mukamalah) plane at a landing strip

1959

Mukamalah played an important role in the development of the local workforce by transporting sponsored Saudi Aramco students to their universities in Cairo and Beirut from Dhahran airport.

Several Mukamalah airplanes portrayed at the Saudi Arabian airport airstrip

1962

Mukamalah’s first Gulfstream G2 was acquired for executive travel to meet with global clients during a period of increasing growth.

Mukamalah helocopter performing a maritime landing on a ship dock

1970

As Saudi Aramco began expanding towards offshore production in the 1970s, so began another crucial role and milestone for Mukamalah. Offshore transport accounts for roughly two thirds of our present-day operations. In the picture, Bell 214 Helicopter is flying over the Arabian Gulf during an offshore transport.

A Mukamalah airplane soaring through the sky with a misty trail flying over the Arabian ocean

1996

Oil spill control with Mukamalah’s first Air Tractor operations.

Mukamalah (Saudi Aramco) airplane waiting on a group of people to enter through the airplane stairs with a background of a golden sunset

2006

Fleet upgrades with Mukamalah adding four new Boeing 737-700, three Embraer 170, and two G550 to its fleet and replacing its Bell helicopters with AW139s & AW109s.

Saudi Aramco (Mukamalah) airplane flying through the sandy Arabian golden desert

2016

Fleet growth with Mukamalah adding six new Boeing 737-800s to its fleet and replacing its AW109 with five new AH145s.

Saudi Aramco planes stocked at the gate of the airport preparing for takeoff

2022

Many years and many fleets later, we operate forty-eight aircraft from different fleets, independently manage nine airports, operate in nine national airports and manage more than 300 helipads throughout the Kingdom.

April 21st, 2023

Mukamalah was spun off and became a completely separate company from Saudi Aramco, giving Mukamalah the opportunity to expand its business to other markets and serve additional clients, while maintaining all of its current assets, including its fleet and all of its ground operations and assets.