Saudia opens four new routes

In line with the objective of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) to enhance the Kingdom’s point-to-point air connectivity to target international markets, SAUDIA, in collaboration with the ACP and Saudi Tourism Authority, has launched four new international destinations – Beijing (PRC), Birmingham (UK), Kano (Nigeria), and Johannesburg (South Africa).

TT Bureau

The route development by SAUDEA follows the national carrier’s signing of an agreement with ACP. It is in line with the ACP’s objective to enhance the Kingdom’s point-to-point air connectivity to target international markets. “The opening of four new air routes across three different regions is the result of strong collaboration between the Saudi tourism and aviation ecosystems,” said Ali Rajab, CEO of ACP.  “We are proud to have been part of these efforts. These new routes offer a diverse mix of travel opportunities in the Kingdom, unlocking its rich cultural heritage and inviting travelers from around the world to experience the beauty and diversity of this remarkable destination,” he added. “Air connectivity will play an increasingly important role in enabling tourism growth and creating new opportunities for businesses and tourists alike. We look forward to building on this momentum to unlock new destinations, and create a brighter future for the Kingdom,” he added.

Capt. Ibrahim Koshy, CEO, SAUDIA, highlighted the airline’s ongoing commitment to investing in operational expansion. “We are dedicated to continue optimizing our modern fleet to meet current and future expansion requirements,” he said. “In addition to the recent launch of the new service ‘Your Ticket, Your Visa’, which is the first of its kind in the world has increased airline’s competitive position with a market share of 40 per cent for flights and seat capacity in the past year,” he added.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board of Saudi Tourism Authority, added that, “Today’s announcement of four new routes demonstrates the power of the tourism ecosystem to work with airline partners to bring new capacity online. Through cross-government collaboration, we are continuing to build ease and connectivity to transform Saudi into a top tourism destination and meet our ambitious target to welcome 100 million visits by 2030. This is significant as direct flight options are not only good news for international travelers, but also create growth, opportunity, and investment in Saudi and across the world.” Eng. Mohammed Al Maghlouth, CEO, MATARAT, said: “At

MATARAT, we are working with our ecosystem partners and airlines to enhance the airport experience for both air carriers and passengers in Saudi Arabia. Our focus is on delivering world-class services that meet the highest international standards, thus improving the travel experience for everyone.” Al Maghlouth added, “The inauguration marks a significant milestone in our efforts, as several airlines plan to introduce direct flights from Saudi airports to new international destinations.”