The inaugural SAUDIA flight going from Jeddah to Birmingham (SV 0251) took off today at 8:00 am from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. To commemorate this occasion, a ceremony was held at the airport’s Alfursan Lounge ahead of the flight’s take-off, as the SAUDIA team celebrated with a ribbon and cake-cutting ceremony in the departure’s hall. Chocolate souvenirs and a special boarding pass celebrating this historic occasion was also distributed to the departing guests.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Cecille El Beleidi, British Consul General of the United Kingdom to Jeddah; Neil Crompton, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Sultan Otaify, VP Strategy and Communication at ACP; Rashed Alshammari , VP Commercial at ACP, and Manal Alshehri, Vice President of Passenger Sales at SAUDIA.
Manal Alshehri, Vice President of Passenger Sales at SAUDIA said: “We are proud to be expanding our operations in the United Kingdom and continue to regularly offer new destinations to our guests. The United Kingdom is a very important destination for SAUDIA, and the launch of new direct flights to and from Birmingham highlights the strengthening of relations between our two countries. We’re also very grateful for the continuous support from the Air Connectivity Program, which enables us to continue to grow as we work towards our objective to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.”
Sultan Otaify, VP of Strategy and Communication at ACP added, "In collaboration with ACP, SAUDIA has launched a direct flight to Birmingham, a city steeped in history and a renowned hub of the Industrial Revolution. As this new route becomes part of the growing air network facilitated by ACP, it significantly contributes to the flourishing tourism between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It is through such bilateral initiatives that we witness the positive trajectory of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom’s relationship, as both countries strive to simplify and streamline travel processes. ACP is committed to empowering carriers in their efforts to unlock new destinations and travel experiences that showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions of Saudi Arabia.’’
The aircraft was welcomed at Birmingham Airport with a water salute, where SAUDIA held another celebration for the return flight from Birmingham to Jeddah. The event was attended by Ronald F. Mathieu, Chief Executive Officer of the Birmingham Airport Authority; Mohsen Abduljawwad, Head of Brand and Communication at ACP; Manal Alshehri, Vice President of Passenger Sales at SAUDIA; Fahad Almuhaysin, SAUDIA Country Manager – UK; Hesham Bindkhail, SAUDIA Europe Regional Manager along with members of SAUDIA and Birmingham Airport’s crew and team.
SAUDIA will operate 3 weekly flights between Jeddah and Birmingham, and will further utilize the airline’s extensive fleet, catering to guests with a range of convenient check-in methods, high-quality onboard services, and a comfortable flight experience that underlines the flag carrier’s commitment to excellence.
About Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA):
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company is one of the Middle East’s largest airlines.
SAUDIA is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO). It has been one of the 19 member airlines of the SkyTeam alliance since 2012.
SAUDIA has received many prestigious industry awards and recognitions. Most recently, it was ranked a Global Five-Star Major Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), and the carrier was awarded the Diamond status by APEX Health Safety.
For further information on Saudi Arabian Airlines, please visit www.saudia.com.
Media Office:
Saudi Arabian Airlines Headquarters
Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Email: [email protected]
About the Air Connectivity Program
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) was established in 2021 to support tourism growth in Saudi Arabia by enhancing air connectivity and developing existing and prospective air routes, connecting Saudi Arabia to new destinations. ACP works at the intersection of tourism and aviation by bridging the stakeholder ecosystem to enable the National Tourism Strategy’s vision and establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in tourism air connectivity.