• International delegates gathered in Riyadh on September 27 and 28 to celebrate World Tourism Day at an event hosted by World Tourism Organization (WTO) 
• ACP’s participation in World Tourism Day event highlights ongoing expansion of air routes

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 27, 2023: Global delegates converged in Riyadh to mark World Tourism Day at a special event hosted by the UN’s World Tourism Organization. The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) engaged in substantive discussions with ministers and government officials from various nations, including representatives from South Africa's Ministry of Tourism, the China Chamber of Tourism (CCT), the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Tourism in Senegal, and the Global Tourism Agenda at the Japan Tourist Bureau.

The event centered on the development of new global tourism investment strategies, serving as a rallying point for tourism leaders to explore new avenues for growth in the industry. Discussions were aimed at fostering international collaboration and partnerships to enhance air connectivity and strengthen the tourism sector.

Notably, ACP's meeting with representatives from South Africa coincided with the recent signing of the new Jeddah-Johannesburg route between ACP and SAUDIA earlier this year. This strategic route, scheduled to take its inaugural flight on December 1st, 2023, will offer travelers three weekly round-trip flights, improving accessibility between Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

In line with ACP's commitment to meeting the growing tourism demand, the Program is conducting feasibility studies and market research to explore potential destinations within South Africa, such as Cape Town, and assess their viability for future connectivity.

The event's opening remarks were delivered by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, who emphasized the pivotal role of enhanced air connectivity in strengthening international travel networks and providing tourists with access to seamless travel experiences.

During the event, Ali Rajab, CEO of ACP, shared that "ACP is forging new partnerships with exciting destinations like South Africa to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading tourism destination and global aviation hub. We see Africa as a pivotal target market for Saudi Arabia.”

He continued, "Our ongoing efforts to open new routes with countries across the continent, from Morocco and Algeria in North Africa to Nigeria in Central Africa, and now South Africa, reflect our determination to meet the growing demand for connectivity throughout Africa. Events like this provide a valuable platform for ACP to initiate discussions, explore prospects, and foster enhanced connectivity while nurturing international partnerships that contribute to the growth and development of the global tourism industry."

In light of the WTO’s call for innovation and collaboration on World Tourism Day, Saudi Arabia's travel and tourism leaders, including key stakeholders such as ACP, are continuing the transformation of the Kingdom’s tourism industry. Over the past year, Saudi Arabia introduced 23 new air routes connecting the Kingdom to three continents – resulting in a substantial expansion of seat capacity, amounting to nearly 700,000.

About the Air Connectivity Program
Air Connectivity Program (ACP) was established in 2021 to contribute to tourism growth in the Kingdom by enhancing air connectivity and developing existing and prospective air routes that link Saudi Arabia with the rest of the world. As an executive enabler of the National Tourism Strategy and the National Aviation Strategy, ACP promotes collaboration and engagement between key public and private sector players in tourism and aviation industries to establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in tourism air connectivity. 

• Hainan Airlines and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) enter an agreement to launch two new air routes between China and Saudi Arabia 
• Collaboration to increase annual passenger capacity in the Kingdom
• Agreement signed amid deepening bilateral ties and increasing demand for air connectivity

Beijing, China, September 26, 2023: The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) has signed a cooperation agreement with Hainan Airlines to launch two new air routes connecting China and Saudi Arabia.

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In the wake of the recently held Arab-China conference, and with a growing demand for flights between China and Saudi Arabia, the routes will boost air travel capacity, offering more options for traveling between the two countries and facilitating greater tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges.

The new routes represent the third and fourth air connections from China to Saudi Arabia, following the successful launch of the Riyadh-Beijing and Jeddah-Beijing routes by national carrier SAUDIA in August 2023, in addition to the carrier’s existing route connecting Jeddah and Guangzhou.  

“Our strategic decision to expand in the Saudi market comes at a time of positive global momentum for both our nations. The world’s attention is increasingly drawn to opportunities in Asia and the Middle East. As Hainan Airlines, we believe this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership, and we are looking forward to further fostering cultural exchanges, enhancing connectivity, and contributing to the economic growth and friendship between the two countries.” said Jason Liu, Commercial VP of Hainan Airlines.

“China is a key partner market for Saudi Arabia. At ACP, we’ve developed a seamless passenger experience for our Chinese visitors, with tailored amenities for travelers from the People's Republic of China,” said Ali Rajab, CEO of ACP.  

He added “The entry of Hainan Airlines into the Saudi market will strengthen the bridge between the two countries and will allow tourists and businesses to explore the attractions and opportunities the two nations have to offer. We look forward to working with Hainan Airlines to strengthen their offering to travelers on these routes.”

Through Vision 2030, – a large economic diversification program focusing on growing sectors like tourism and aviation, among others, Saudi Arabia aims to become a leading aviation hub in the Middle East, and a key connection point between East and West. In 2022, the Kingdom was the world’s second fastest-growing tourism market, according to the World Tourism Organization.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Kingdom is drastically scaling up its air route capacity. It aims to attract over 100 million visitors to the Kingdom by 2030.

About the Air Connectivity Program
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) was established in 2021 to contribute to 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.

About Hainan Airways
Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as "Hainan Airlines") was established in January, 1993 in Hainan Province, China's largest special economic zone and free trade port. As one of the fastest growing airlines in China, Hainan Airlines is committed to providing passengers with comprehensive, seamless and high-quality service experience.
Since 1993, Hainan Airlines has been operating safely for 30 consecutive years. As of 2022, Hainan Airlines and its subsidiaries operated nearly 1,900 domestic and international routes. We had around 1,700 domestic routes, including all mainland provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government. As well as more than 200 international routes, including scheduled passenger flights, specific charter flights for work and school, and passenger-to-cargo flights, covering Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania regions, flying to 44 cities overseas. Hainan Airlines has actively responded to The Belt and Road Initiative by focusing on building a world-class airline network. Hainan Airlines and its subsidiaries have established operational bases/branches in 24 cities including Beijing, Haikou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Hainan Airlines is the first and only SKYTRAX 5-Star airline in mainland China, who has been awarded the SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline for 12 consecutive years since 2011. This honor is Hainan Airlines highest level of recognition for our outstanding service, and also represents praise from the majority of our passengers for our high quality services.
On December 8, 2021, the actual control rights for the operation and management of the main business were officially transferred to the strategic investor Liaoning Fangda Group. In the future, Hainan Airlines will follow the corporate values put forward by the controlling shareholder Liaoning Fangda Group that,“operating an enterprise must be beneficial to the country, the enterprise, its employees and its customers” and will continue to aspire to build a world-class airline focusing on safety, service and profits.

Fly Your Dreams, Hainan Airlines. 

Three weekly direct flights will connect Baghdad to Jeddah on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, adding a new direct route between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and further facilitating the travel between the two regions.

Through its partnership with ACP, flynas is launching direct flights to various international destinations, expanding travel options for tourists, businesspeople, and pilgrims visiting the Kingdom.

flynas was the first Saudi carrier to resume flights between the Kingdom and Iraq in 2017 after a 27-year hiatus. Last April, flynas reintroduced its direct route between Jeddah and Erbil, offering more options for affordable air travel to the capital and the most populated city in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, with two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays.

About the Air Connectivity Program
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) was established in 2021 to contribute to 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.
 

• Three direct weekly flights between Jeddah and Osh, the second-largest city of Kyrgyzstan
• Route supporting push for increased connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Central Asia

Riyadh, August 21, 2023: Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and the world, flynas, has announced the initiation of direct flights from Jeddah to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. The route was launched in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP) as part of flynas’ ambitious expansion plans. 

The inaugural event, attended by representatives from flynas and Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO), celebrated the commencement of non-stop flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Osh International Airport. This initiative further enhances the range of travel options to Central Asian destinations provided by flynas.

The new route will feature three weekly flights every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, catering to both tourists and residents with affordable, point-to-point travel. Additionally, flynas plans to introduce another air route to Kyrgyzstan early next month, operating three weekly flights from Jeddah to the capital, Bishkek.

The strategic collaboration between flynas and ACP, established last April, is a significant milestone in driving Saudi Arabia's tourism growth and is in line with the Saudi ecosystem's broader efforts to attract 100 million tourists annually to the Kingdom by 2030.

Currently, flynas operates an extensive network that spans over 70 domestic and international destinations, with a frequency of 1,500 weekly flights. Since its inception in 2007, flynas has been the preferred choice for more than 60 million passengers. 

With a focus on growth, flynas aims to expand its reach even further by serving a total of 165 domestic and international destinations, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030 and contributing to the increased air connectivity within the Kingdom. 

About the Air Connectivity Program
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) was established in 2021 to contribute to 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.