By: Travel & tour world

To mark the occasion, Saudia hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the departure hall at Dammam, attended by distinguished guests, including Mr. Wang Qimin, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Engr. Mohammed Al-Hassany, CEO of Dammam Airports Company (DACO), and Mr. Wail Basaffar, Assistant Vice President of KSA Sales at Saudia.

With this new route, Dammam becomes the third Saudi city offering Saudia flights to Beijing, joining Jeddah and Riyadh. The total weekly seating capacity between Saudi Arabia and Beijing now stands at approximately 1,310 seats across four flights, while the capacity to Guangzhou reaches 1,966 seats across six flights. Saudia has designated the Boeing B787 Dreamliner for this route, known for its operational efficiency and comfort, ensuring passengers a premium travel experience.

Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hassany, CEO of Dammam Airports Company, said: “The launch of flights to Beijing, in partnership with Saudia, reflects our commitment to diversifying the international destinations of King Fahd International Airport to meet travelers’ aspirations and enhance their experience. This initiative is part of our plan to develop international air traffic, aiming to attract new airlines and increase direct destinations, which will support economic and tourism growth in the Eastern Province.”

He added: “From January to September 2024, King Fahd International Airport achieved a remarkable 16.2% growth in passenger numbers compared to 2023, and I commend the tremendous efforts of our team and partners in making this accomplishment possible.”

Mr. Wail Basaffar, Assistant Vice President of KSA Sales at Saudia, said: “This new route is a testament to Saudia’s innovative and flexible operational model, which leverages our main hub in Jeddah as a cornerstone of our strategic plan. We also utilize other major airports for connecting flights to meet growing demand and cater to all guest segments. Our modern and expanding fleet further enhances the travel experience, ensuring we not only meet but exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Saudia is committed to its mission of fostering international travel and tourism, reinforcing its goal of connecting the world to the Kingdom. The airline has seen remarkable growth in demand for flights between Saudi Arabia and China. Since the launch of its Beijing route, Saudia has transported over 84,890 passengers on 482 flights. From January to September 2024, the airline carried 78,560 passengers on its route between the Kingdom and Guangzhou—a 19% increase over the same period in 2023. This rise in demand was matched by a 23% increase in capacity, with Saudia operating 413 flights on this popular route.