The inaugural flight from Jeddah to Beijing was conducted on August 4, 2023, and the direct flight from Riyadh to Beijing on August 6, 2023

Riyadh: SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), has launched new direct flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with Beijing, further strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and China, and reflecting a commitment to help the two countries deepen their collaboration.

The inaugural flight from Jeddah to Beijing was conducted on August 4, 2023, and the direct flight from Riyadh to Beijing on August 6, 2023. These new routes provide around 165 million people in northern China with direct access to the Kingdom, boosting mutual tourism and strengthening the growing international cooperation between Saudi Arabia and global aviation markets.

Through the efforts of ACP, the Kingdom's air connectivity facilitator, the new routes have been launched as the country reinforces its commitment to making its travel and aviation sectors further progress.

"The launch of this new route comes shortly after the hugely successful 10th Arab-China business forum in Riyadh and represents an important development in our ongoing efforts to expand air connectivity," said ACP CEO Ali Rajab.

"By working closely with the ecosystem's stakeholders, we ensure that every aspect of our visitors' air travel journey is met with exceptional service and operational readiness. This concerted effort underscores our commitment to creating a truly unforgettable experience for travellers from Beijing and its environs, showcasing the warmth of Saudi hospitality and the remarkable beauty of our country," Rajab added.

ACP believes additional routes to and from the Kingdom will be launched in the second half of this year and the first half of 2024, further broadening its aviation network and international accessibility. The effort to expand is also reflected in the improved global air connectivity classification of Saudi Arabia by the International Air Transport Association (IATA); the country moved from 27th place in 2019 to 13th in 2022.

SAUDIA CEO Capt. Ibrahim Koshy said: "At SAUDIA, we remain dedicated to expanding our network and contributing to the 250 destinations outlined in the Saudi National Aviation strategy. Partnerships, like the one with ACP, play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Together, we have successfully launched routes, including Birmingham, UK, and Zurich, Switzerland, that have enabled us to connect the world to Saudi Arabia."

China is a priority growth market for ACP, which also focuses on broader tourism considerations, including the overall travel experience and the quality of airport facilities.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – July 26, 2023:

flynas, the leading low-cost carrier based in Saudi Arabia, has announced the launch of direct flights connecting Casablanca, the largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco, to Jeddah. This new air route is a result of the partnership established with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP).

This collaboration between flynas and ACP marks another step towards contributing to Saudi Arabia's tourism growth, while also reinforcing the bilateral ties between the two nations. Starting on August 3rd,2023, flynas will initiate direct flights between King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, Morocco's economic and business center. Flights will operate three times a week, on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Tuesdays.

The introduction of this route adds to the history of cooperation between flynas and ACP. This expansion aligns with the Saudi ecosystem's broader efforts to attract 100 million annual tourists 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 flown over 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.