KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6: The national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA),recently made history with the launch of its first direct flight to Beijing, China on Friday, Aug 4th.
The inaugural flight, in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), is a momentous milestone and a sign of strengthened bilateral ties and the fostering of seamless connections between two great powerhouses, the airline said in a press release.
It is also in line with Saudi Aviation Strategy, which recognizes the importance of air connectivity in targeting key markets, such as China, and accommodating increasing demand from international tourists seeking to discover the treasures of Saudi Arabia.
The inaugural SAUDIA flight from Jeddah to Beijing, (SV 0886), took off on the morning of August 4, 2023 from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the occasion with the presence of Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group, Chen Weiqing, the Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ayman Abu Abah, CEO of JEDCO as well as executives from ACP.
At the PKX, the aircraft was welcomed with a water salute, where guests were greeted with flowers and
giveaways. A second ceremony was held on the departure of the first flight from Beijing to Saudi Arabia,
(SV 0887) where the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to China, Abdulrahman Alharbi, the CEO of ACP, Ali Rajab, and the Vice President of Beijing Daxing International Airport, Kong Yue, were also present.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group was quoted saying in the statement: “We are proud to expand our operations and offer new destinations to our guests. China is a very important route for SAUDIA, and the introduction of the new direct flights to and from Beijing not only boosts tourism but also strengthens the overall economic and cultural ties between the two nations. It facilitates increased travel, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, fostering stronger bilateral relations.”
SAUDIA will operate four weekly flights between Saudi Arabia and Beijing.
–WE