JEDDAH: NEOM airport welcomed its first Saudi Arabian Airlines flight Thursday with 130 people on board, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.  The airport, which is located in Sharma, welcomed 130 people who are working on the NEOM project.  NEOM, a $500 billion megacity, is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision to diversify its economy. Passengers traveled to NEOM via two Saudi airlines Airbus A320 aircrafts for their first official visit to the megacity where they will attend their first annual meeting.  The meeting aims to consolidate ties between NEOM employees and increase their familiarity with the area.  The CEO of NEOM Nadhmi Al-Nasr said “We wanted our employees to experience the NEOM project which they have been working to make a success since its inception last year. There is a big difference between knowing the details of the project in theory and visiting it practically, exploring its treasures, beauty, and heritage.” Al-Nasr thanked Saudi Arabian Airlines for facilitating the trip, and said that he looked forward to further cooperation with them and with other local, regional, and international transport companies to serve residents and visitors of Neom in the near future. Backed by the Kingdom’s vast Public Investment Fund, NEOM will operate as an independent economic zone powered solely by regenerative energy, spanning three countries, complete with its own self-governing laws and regulations and all strategically designed for economic stimulation.  The project’s vision is to make it the best place in the world for living and working.