SAUDIA has launched its seasonal flights to Phuket, marking its second destination in the Kingdom of Thailand after the capital, Bangkok. Musaed Almusaed, Assistant Vice President, International Regions at SAUDIA, stated: “SAUDIA has scheduled flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Phuket, offering 12 weekly flights in both directions. We are committed to enhancing our competitive position and expanding our reach to new destinations, whether scheduled or seasonal. This aligns with the unprecedented and fundamental development of our services, aimed at enriching the travel experience at all stages and exceeding our guests’ expectations.” SAUDIA operates flights to over 100 destinations across four continents, leveraging its current fleet of 144 diverse Boeing and Airbus aircraft. With plans to add 130 new aircraft, SAUDIA aims to expand seating capacity and increase the frequency of flights to existing destinations while also reaching new international markets, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by bringing the world to the Kingdom.
Read More »AROYA departs Bremerhaven to its homeport in Jeddah ahead of maiden voyage
With a matter of weeks until its maiden voyage, AROYA, the first ship in the fleet from the first Arabian cruise line AROYA Cruises, has departed Bremerhaven, Germany for its homeport in Jeddah, Saudi. After lengthy dry docking and transformation periods in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, AROYA is now ready for operation. AROYA has undergone the largest cruise ship refit project in the world, transforming 95% of its interior to create a brand new Remarkably Arabian experience. The vessel features an array of world-leading facilities including a souq-inspired shopping district – the largest retail area on a cruise ship – state-of-the-art spa area, 29 restaurants, lounges and cafes, 20 entertainment venues, and one of the largest kids play areas on a cruise ship. AROYA’s Maiden Voyage, departing on the 16th December, will take passengers on a three-night journey to an exclusive Red Sea private island developed by Cruise Saudi, the Public Investment Fund company which owns AROYA Cruises.
Read More »Marriott to open Four Points Sheraton in Jeddah with Aleph Hospitality by Q1 2025
Mohammed Abdullah Al Muhanna Hotels Ltd. signed a franchise agreement with Marriott International and a management agreement with Aleph Hospitality to open Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in the first quarter of 2025. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah is located in the Rabwah District of Jeddah with excellent connections to every part of the city and just 15 minutes from King Abdul Aziz International Airport. Featuring 112 well-appointed rooms and suites, food and beverage outlets and meeting facilities, the newly built hotel is anticipated to reflect the brand’s promise of ‘travel reinvented’, providing everything that matters most to today’s travellers seeking balance on the road, timeless style and comfort with genuine service. Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality said, “I am thrilled that we have been entrusted with the management of the Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah and we look forward to a successful opening. Today, I am also proud to say that this is the second hotel under our management in Saudi Arabia, and the fourth hotel under the Marriott franchise. Our rapid expansion over the past year has made Aleph Hospitality the largest independent hospitality management company in the region.” “This project marks the starting point toward achieving great success in the hospitality sector and we are committed to providing a unique hospitality experience that caters to the needs of visitors from all over the world,” commented Saleh Abdulmohsin Al Sultan, Managing Director, Mohammed Abdullah Al Muhanna Hotels Ltd. “Supporting the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 has been a key driver for our investment in the hospitality and tourism sector in the Kingdom and we …
Read More »SAUDIA unveils first and business class check-in lounge at its Jeddah Hub
As part of SAUDIA’s investments to make King Abdulaziz International Airport into a true hub and enhance the guest’s travel experience, they officially inaugurated its new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge at Terminal 1 of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. H.E. Eng. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, the Director General of SAUDIA Group inaugurated this luxurious, exclusive space which is designed to elevate the travel experience for SAUDIA’s First and Business Class guests, as well as AlFursan Gold members. The lounge offers personalized services tailored to meet the needs of discerning travelers. The new lounge features 10 dedicated check-in counters, each complemented by a comfortable seating area to ensure a seamless and relaxed start to the journey. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by specialized staff and treated to traditional Saudi coffee and dates. The lounge also includes a dedicated café counter, offering a selection of hot and cold beverages. The opening of the new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge marks a significant milestone in SAUDIA’s strategy to strengthen its Jeddah hub. This strategy involves centralizing operations in state-of-the-art facilities and services, optimizing connectivity and transit traffic, and maintaining a distinctive on-time performance through integrated operations. By creating a true hub, Saudia is also contributing to the broader Saudi Vision 2030 goal of attracting 330 million visits and welcoming the world to the Kingdom. Additionally, the lounge’s design reflects the rich Saudi culture and landmarks, highlighting SAUDIA’s new era and its dedication to presenting the nation’s rich identity and culture to its guests. Riyadh M. Alhudhaif, General Manager of the Jeddah HUB stated: “Unveiling SAUDIA’s new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge marks a landmark milestone in luxury travel, redefining …
Read More »Wizz Air announces new London Gatwick to Jeddah route, strengthening commitment to Saudi Arabia
Wizz Air announced the launch of a new direct route between London Gatwick and Jeddah, starting on 31 March 2025. This new route underscores Wizz Air’s dedication to expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, offering travellers more options and affordable fares. Tickets are now available on wizzair.com and the Wizz Air app, with prices starting from just USD 116.99. Wizz Air’s new London Gatwick to Jeddah route will operate daily all year round, connecting two vibrant cities. This strategic addition to Wizz Air’s network highlights the airline’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible travel options while strengthening ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Over the past three years, Wizz Air has significantly increased its capacity in Saudi Arabia, introducing numerous new routes and enhancing travel options, while contributing to the country’s connectivity in line with Vision 2030 and following a partnership agreement with Saudi Tourism Authority to increase connectivity to Europe and boost inbound visitors. This route is one of many offerings that will leverage the Airbus A321XLR’s extended range and efficiency, revolutionizing intercontinental travel and making it more accessible than ever before. With fares starting from only USD 116.99, Wizz Air continues to deliver on its promise of making air travel affordable for all. “The Airbus A321XLR is the most cost-efficient aircraft of its class and, given the enhanced range capability, it enables Wizz Air to connect the furthest destinations in its network and further expand it, connecting cultures and continents. We’re excited to unlock unbeatable fares for our customers on the newly announced route to London, while offering the most sustainable option for flying.”- commented Andras Rado Head of Communications and Government affairs during a press conference …
Read More »flynas launches direct flights from Jeddah to Berlin
flynas launched its first direct flight between Jeddah and Berlin aligning with flynas growth and expansion plan under the slogan “We connect the world to the Kingdom”, in partnership with Air Connectivity Program (ACP), with support of Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). The new Berlin-Jeddah route, launched in partnership with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), will offer three weekly flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah to Berlin International Airport (BER). An inaugural ceremony was held at King Abdulaziz International Airport in the presence of representatives from flynas, Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO), the ACP, and Consulate General of Germany in Jeddah. On the other side, the maiden flight was welcomed Berlin Brandenburg Airport with a reception ceremony in the presence of representatives from ACP, Berlin airport. On the next day, September 5, flynas organized a ceremony on this occasion in Berlin that was attended by and stakeholders of flynas in Germany. This Expansion in the European market is in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the slogan “We connect the world to the Kingdom”, and in parallel with the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 100 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. The CEO of Jeddah Airports, Engineer Mazen Johar, said “the launch of the first flynas flights between the German Capital “Berlin” and King Abdulaziz international airport in Jeddah supports Jeddah Airports Company’s strategy of increasing the number of destinations connected to King Abdulaziz International Airport . This …
Read More »Air Astana expands network of services to Saudi Arabia
Air Astana will launch direct scheduled flights from Shymkent to Jeddah, with a twice weekly service operating between 1st and 28th October 2024. After those dates, one of the services will be switched to a once weekly service between Shymkent and Medina. A new twice weekly service from Almaty to Medina will also be launched on 29th October 2024, which is in addition to the existing Almaty to Jeddah service. All flights to Saudi Arabia will be operated by Airbus A321LR aircraft configured with 16 business class seats and 150 economy class seats. The flight time from Shymkent to Jeddah and Shymkent to Medina will be 5hours 35mins, whilst flight time from Almaty to Medina will be 6hours 10mins. The minimum cost for round-trip Economy class tickets including all fees starts from US$ 656 for Shymkent to Jeddah, US$ 646 for Shymkent to Medina and US$ 705 for Almaty to Medina. Kazakhstan citizens are required to obtain an e-visa before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s second largest city and economic capital, with a wealth of attractions including King Fahd’s Fountain, the ancient city of Al-Balad and Red Sea beaches. Jeddah is only one hour’s high-speed train ride from Mecca. Medina is the second most important holy city for Muslims after Mecca. The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina is considered to be the second holiest site of Islam after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
Read More »SAUDIA announces addition of Phuket to seasonal destinations
SAUDIA announced the addition of Phuket to its seasonal destinations, making it the second city in Thailand to join its network, following the capital, Bangkok. This expansion aligns with SAUDIA’s strategic objective to broaden its international flight network and bring the world to Saudi Arabia, leveraging its young fleet and enhancing its global competitive advantage. SAUDIA will commence flights to Phuket on 2 December 2024, offering 12 weekly round trips from Riyadh and Jeddah combined. Bookings will be available through SAUDIA’s website and mobile app. Operational preparations are currently underway at Phuket International Airport to ensure an exceptional service and seamless experience for all guests. The airline will deploy its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the routes between the Kingdom and Phuket. These Dreamliners are equipped with spacious seating, advanced inflight entertainment systems catering to diverse guest preferences, and other premium onboard services designed to enhance the travel experience.
Read More »ITA Airways launches new nonstop flight to Jeddah Second destination in Saudi Arabia in the 2024 Summer Season
ITA Airways is expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia launching its second destination in the country with the direct Rome- Jeddah roundtrip flight, operating with three weekly frequencies. “We are delighted to inaugurate our first nonstop flight between Jeddah and Rome, strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing market”, said Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare. “This new opening follows the launch of the nonstop connection to Riyadh in June and is part of our ongoing summer network expansion, which boasts excellent booking results. Operated with the state-of-the-art A321neo, this new flight will expand the medium-haul network and enhance commercial and cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and Italy, while also providing connections with our array of destinations accessible via our Rome Fiumicino hub”. “We are delighted to see ITA Airways commencing the route between Rome and our coastal and historical city of Jeddah, which will further enhance our air connectivity to KSA. Travelers from ITA Airways’ network in Italy, Europe, and the Americas will enjoy a more seamless journey to explore the untapped potential of Jeddah. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with a great partner, ITA Airways”, said Mazin Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) and Majid Khan, CEO of Air Connectivity Program (ACP). “As a representative of the Italian Consulate, I am thrilled to be part of the strengthening partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia through the launch of the new roundtrip Rome-Jeddah flight. It truly is a testimony of the friendship between the two countries, which not only is rooted in a deep historic relationship, but is further developing the commercial friendship with expanding opportunities”, said …
Read More »SAUDIA expands operations in Indonesia adding Medan to its network
SAUDIA announced the addition of Medan to its scheduled and regular flight network, making it the second destination in the Republic of Indonesia after the capital, Jakarta. The airline has allocated four weekly flights in both directions between Medan and both Jeddah and Medina, with operations starting on August 31. This step is part of its expansion efforts to connect the world with the Kingdom and to serve diverse guest segments. A meeting was recently held between Saudia and officials from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan to arrange for the operations and ensure readiness of services. The goal is to provide the best solutions to ensure smooth airport traffic and procedures. By adding Medina as a second destination in the Kingdom after Jeddah for the new Medan route, Saudia seeks to capitalize on the increasing demand. This move follows a recent agreement with Tibah Airports to increase operations and enhance the transport and service of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, as well as visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque and Islamic historical sites. Saudia is committed to increasing its market share in the Hajj and Umrah sector, recognizing Indonesia as one of the largest Islamic markets for travel. These efforts also contribute to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030. The expansion of Saudia’s destinations aligns with its largest fleet modernization and growth program. The fleet currently includes 144 aircraft, with plans to add 103 more in the coming years. This is complemented by numerous other initiatives aimed at enhancing the guest travel experience using the latest advancements in aviation.
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