The Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) and SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, have introduced new direct flights linking Riyadh and Jeddah with Beijing, further solidifying relations between Saudi Arabia and China and demonstrating a commitment to support the two nations’ cooperation.
August 4, 2023, saw the first flight from Jeddah to Beijing, and August 6, 2023, saw the first direct flight from Riyadh to Beijing. Around 165 million people in northern China now have direct access to the Kingdom thanks to these new routes, which will increase travel between the two countries and solidify Saudi Arabia’s expanding international partnership with the world’s aviation markets.
As the nation reaffirms its commitment to advancing the tourism and aviation industries, the new routes have been introduced by ACP, the Kingdom’s air connectivity facilitator.
According to a Zawya report, ACP CEO Ali Rajab said, “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.”
“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,” he added.
“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 has enabled us to connect the world to Saudi Arabia,” SAUDIA CEO Capt. Ibrahim Koshy said.
China is a top-growing market for ACP, which also emphasises more general tourism factors like the standard of airport amenities and the overall travel experience.