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ACP, China Eastern Airlines Explore Deeper Cooperation

ACP, China Eastern Airlines Explore Deeper Cooperation

Leaders02-06-2025
Majid Khan, CEO of the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), recently attended the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East Air Connectivity Conference in Shanghai. During the event, he explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration between ACP and Asian carriers, with a particular focus on China.
In a fireside chat titled 'Strengthening Air Connectivity Between Saudi Arabia and China,' Khan highlighted Saudi Arabia's national tourism strategy, its rich cultural offerings, and the ease of access for Chinese and Asian travelers.
On the sidelines of the conference, Khan met with Liu Tiexiang, President of China Eastern Airlines, to discuss expanding cooperation and enhancing air routes between the Kingdom and China. Moreover, their discussions centered on increasing direct flights and facilitating smoother travel between the two countries.
China Eastern Airlines, in partnership with ACP, has already experienced notable progress, with direct Shanghai–Riyadh flights growing from three to six weekly services over the past year.
Looking ahead, ACP also aims to broaden this partnership by adding new routes to other Saudi cities and increasing flight frequencies. These efforts are part of ACP's broader mission to support inbound tourism and build strategic air links with global markets.
As a key driver of Saudi Arabia's National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy, ACP plays a central role in forging strong public-private partnerships across the aviation and tourism sectors—positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for air connectivity.
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