NEOM project milestones stretch from the first announcement in 2017 through a run of destination launches that reshaped the northwest of the Kingdom. Read in order, they show a project that expanded from a single concept into a portfolio of distinct developments.
The announcements below follow the official record. Each entry marks a decision point rather than a completion date.
NEOM project milestones year by year
2017: announcement of the NEOM project
NEOM was announced as part of the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030. The announcement set out nine sectors that would carry investment into the project. Vision progress across sectors is tracked in the annual Vision 2030 report.
2019: NEOM Bay Airport opens
NEOM Bay Airport received its first Saudia flight, carrying 130 employees to the site for their first meeting. Later the same year, Saudia marked the inaugural commercial flight from Riyadh after the airport was converted for commercial use.
2021: The Line and Oxagon
The launch of The Line was announced, presented as a model of urban living aligned with nature and free of noise and pollution. In the same year, NEOM Company announced Oxagon, an industrial city inside the master plan. Its design is covered in more detail in this look at Oxagon in NEOM.
2022: Trojena, aviation and Sindalah
The Trojena project was announced as a global destination for mountain tourism built on environmental principles. NEOM and Saudia announced a strategic partnership to run regular flights from NEOM Bay Airport to selected destinations, with the site’s position at the crossroads of continents putting about 40 percent of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time.
NEOM’s Board of Directors released the designs of The Line, including area, construction method, width, length and resident capacity. The board also announced Sindalah Island, the first nautical tourism destination, designed as the main gateway to Red Sea cruising.
2023: five new destinations
- Leyja: three hotels and supporting facilities set among valleys and mountains, starting at the Gulf of Aqaba coast and running through terrain with peaks up to four hundred m.
- Epicon: a sustainably designed destination on the Gulf of Aqaba with two towers, one 225 m and one 275 m high.
- Siranna: beachfront living on the Gulf of Aqaba built around conservation principles.
- Utamo: arts and entertainment experiences, innovative events and global artists.
- Norlana: a residential community for three thousand residents, with palaces, apartments and beach villas.
2024: Aquellum and Magna
Aquellum was announced as a community inspired by future lifestyles, combining residential and hotel units with supporting facilities on the Gulf of Aqaba, surrounded by mountains up to 450 m high.
The board then announced the Magna Project, NEOM’s coastal tourism area on the Gulf of Aqaba, bringing together twelve destinations: Leyja, Epicon, Siranna, Utamo, Norlana, Aquellum, Zardun, Jaumur, Elanan, Gidori, Treyam and Xaynor.
Frequently asked questions
When was NEOM announced?
In 2017, as part of Saudi Vision 2030, with nine investment sectors identified at launch.
What is the Magna Project?
NEOM’s coastal tourism area on the Gulf of Aqaba, announced in 2024 and covering twelve destinations.
What is Oxagon?
An industrial city within NEOM’s master plan, announced in 2021.
Where NEOM fits
NEOM is the largest single entry in a much wider development program, and it is best read against that backdrop. For context, see the Kingdom’s major projects, the growth of industry and technology, the NEOM sport club and recent GDP performance. Official updates are published by NEOM.
