Latest news with #AirConnectivityProgram
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudia to launch direct flights to Moscow starting October 2025
Jeddah: Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced the addition of Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, to its growing network of scheduled destinations. Starting October 2025, and as part of a strategic collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), the airline will operate three weekly flights departing from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The new route highlights Saudia's collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority to promote the Kingdom as a year-round destination. It enhances international connectivity and opens new channels for business, leisure, and religious travel. The move also supports Saudia's strategy to expand its European network and strengthen its presence in key global markets. Saudia's new flight schedule to Moscow will provide convenient timings and smooth onward connections via Saudia's international network and its SkyTeam alliance partners. Following the announcement, preparations are underway to ensure a smooth operational launch. These include enabling bookings, setting up guest service counters at airports, and completing all logistical arrangements. With new aircraft expected to be delivered, Saudia's fleet will expand beyond its current 147 aircraft, further strengthening the airline's operational capacity. This growth, supported by a highly skilled team of aviation professionals, is essential to achieving operational excellence and enabling the launch of more direct international routes in line with Saudia's strategic expansion plans aiming at fulfilling the Kingdom's 2030 Vision. As Saudia accelerates its global expansion, the launch of direct flights to Moscow stands out as a key milestone in its international growth strategy. With a network reaching over 100 destinations across four continents and more than 550 daily flights, Saudia continues to position itself as a leading global airline, connecting the Kingdom to the world with scale, efficiency, and ambition. Expanding air connectivity and growing Saudia's global network remains a key priority in support of Saudi Vision 2030. The new Moscow route aligns with broader national efforts to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub, while creating new avenues for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange in line with the National Aviation Strategy. About Saudia: Saudia (Saudia Airlines) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle East's largest airlines. Saudia has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet, with 147 aircraft. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia. A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Saudia has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012. Saudia was recently awarded the "World Class Airline 2025" for the fourth consecutive year at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ awards. Saudia has also advanced 11 places in the Skytrax airlines ranking of the World Best Airlines 2023. The Airline also ranked top among global airlines for best on-time performance (OTP) according to a report by Cirium. For more information on Saudia, please visit About ACP The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) streamlines market entry and promotes expansion opportunities for local and international air travel partners in the Kingdom. By developing new routes, ACP aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in tourism air connectivity. ACP also enables the objectives of the Saudi National Tourism Strategy and Saudi National Aviation Strategy by increasing resilient capacity and ensuring high-quality service standards.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudia launches direct flights between Riyadh, Vienna to boost global connectivity
Riyadh: Saudia has inaugurated its first direct and scheduled flights from Riyadh to Vienna, the capital of Austria, according to a press release. Launched in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), the strategic route aligns with Saudia's successful seasonal operations from Jeddah and supports the airline's international expansion efforts. This move also backs the Saudi national carrier's commitment to fostering global connectivity and enhancing access to key international destinations. The new route operates four times weekly from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to Vienna International Airport. Flights depart Riyadh under flight number SV153, with return flights from Vienna under SV152, scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030, Saudia continues to invest in its fleet and services to meet the growing demand for air travel. Its network spans more than 100 destinations across four continents.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudia launches direct flights between Riyadh and Vienna, in collaboration with the air connectivity program
Riyadh: Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated its first direct and scheduled flights from Riyadh to Vienna, the capital of Austria. This strategic route, launched in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), follows Saudia's successful seasonal operations from Jeddah earlier this year and supports the airline's international expansion efforts. It reflects Saudia's ongoing commitment to strengthening global connectivity and enhancing access to key international destinations. The new route operates four times weekly from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to Vienna International Airport. Flights depart Riyadh under flight number SV153, with return flights from Vienna under SV152, scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The flights will be operated with Saudia's modern aircraft, featuring spacious seating and advanced entertainment systems tailored to meet the needs of all guest segments, along with a range of exceptional onboard services that enhance the overall travel experience. The launch of the Riyadh–Vienna route complements Saudia's existing services from Jeddah to Vienna, reinforcing the airline's presence in Europe and providing guests with more convenient travel options. This expansion aligns with Saudia's commitment to enhancing connectivity and supporting the Kingdom's efforts to attract international tourists, investors, and business travelers. With a network spanning over 100 destinations across four continents, Saudia continues to invest in its fleet and services to meet the growing demand for air travel. The introduction of the Riyadh–Vienna route is a testament to Saudia's dedication to connecting the world to Kingdom and contributing to the realization of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 across key sectors including tourism, entertainment, finance, business, and religious travel such as Hajj and Umrah. About Saudia: Saudia (Saudia Airlines) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle East's largest airlines. Saudia has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet, with 147 aircraft. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia. A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Saudia has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012. Saudia was recently awarded the "World Class Airline 2025" for the fourth consecutive year at The APEX Official Airline Ratings™ awards. Saudia has also advanced 11 places in the Skytrax airlines ranking of the World Best Airlines 2023. The Airline also ranked top among global airlines for best on-time performance (OTP) according to a report by Cirium. For more information on Saudia, please visit About ACP The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) streamlines market entry and promotes expansion opportunities for local and international air travel partners in the Kingdom. By developing new routes, ACP aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in tourism air connectivity. ACP also enables the objectives of the Saudi National Tourism Strategy and Saudi National Aviation Strategy by increasing resilient capacity and ensuring high-quality service standards.
Leaders
02-06-2025
- Business
- Leaders
ACP, China Eastern Airlines Explore Deeper Cooperation
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. Related Topics : New Route Between Doha and Abha, More Flights to NEOM, ACP Says Saudi Air Connectivity Program Strengthens Ties with Tourism Sector Air Connectivity Program Joins World Routes Conference in Bahrain Saudi Air Connectivity Program Inks Agreement with Eurowings Transavia France Airlines Launches Direct Flights Between Three French Cities, Jeddah Short link : Post Views: 29
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Airports Handle 128 Million Passengers in 2024, Marking 15% Growth
Saudi Arabia's aviation sector recorded robust growth in 2024, as airports across the Kingdom welcomed more than 128 million passengers—a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. The surge comes as part of Riyadh's broader push to establish itself as a global aviation hub in the Middle East, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. According to the 2024 Air Transport Statistics Bulletin, issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), international passenger traffic reached 69 million, up 14 percent year-on-year, while domestic travel saw a 16 percent jump, reaching 59 million passengers. The expansion is being driven by the National Aviation Strategy and the Air Connectivity Program, alongside efforts to privatize and modernize airport infrastructure. The Kingdom aims to connect to 250 destinations globally by 2030 via 29 airports, with a targeted annual capacity of 330 million passengers and 4.5 million tons of air freight. The Air Connectivity Program has played a central role in these efforts, helping attract 12 new international carriers and opening more than 60 new routes through 18 newly connected cities. Infrastructure developments in 2024 included the expansion of Al-Ahsa International Airport and the opening of a new international terminal at Taif International Airport. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah maintained its position as the busiest airport in the Kingdom, handling around 49 million passengers—an increase of 14 percent. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport followed with 37.6 million passengers, up 18 percent, while Dammam's King Fahd International Airport recorded 12.8 million passengers, reflecting a 15 percent rise. The total passenger-handling capacity of Saudi airports reached 126 million in 2024. King Abdulaziz International led with a capacity of 50 million passengers annually, operating at 98 percent utilization—an 11 percent increase from 2023. King Khalid International ranked second with a capacity of 39 million and a 96 percent usage rate. In terms of international routes, King Abdulaziz International topped the list with 369, a 1 percent increase over the previous year. It was followed by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina with 272 routes (up 5 percent), while King Khalid International saw a 6 percent decline to 165 routes. King Fahd International registered 85 international routes, down 8 percent. On average, Saudi airports handled 189,000 international passengers and 162,000 domestic passengers per day. Domestic flights rose by 12 percent to 474,000, while international flights increased by 10 percent to 431,000. King Abdulaziz International also led in total flight operations, with around 290,000 flights in 2024. King Khalid International followed with 274,000 flights, and King Fahd International reported 105,000.
