Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Programme, has launched direct flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Johannesburg Airport in South Africa.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the AlFursan International Lounge on 1 December, with notable attendees including Moegammad Gabriels, Consul General of the Republic of South Africa, Musaed Almusaed, AVP of International Regions Sales at Saudia, and Rashed Alshammari, VP of Commercial at ACP, along with representatives from airport government authorities.
Saudia has scheduled four weekly flights from Jeddah (SV0449) and return flights from Johannesburg (SV0448) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. These flights are serviced by a B787-9 Dreamliner, which features 24 business-class seats and 274 economy-class seats, known for their spacious seating and advanced in-flight entertainment systems. This is in line with Saudia’s commitment to delivering exceptional aviation services and enhancing the overall travel experience.
Mr. Musaed Almusaed commented, “It’s important to strengthen Saudia’s presence in South Africa by introducing direct routes to Johannesburg. These flights offer convenient time schedules, highlighting efficient collaboration with the ACP. This initiative reinforces Saudia’s expansion plans to attract more tourists from around the world to the Kingdom.”
From the ACP, CEO Ali Rajab stated, “The Johannesburg-Jeddah route with Saudia represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance air connectivity between South Africa and the Kingdom. The ACP is committed to forging new partnerships and expanding air networks with South Africa’s growing market, ensuring seamless travel experiences for passengers.” He added, “This achievement was made possible through the support and guidance of His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia and Chairman of ACP’s Overseeing Committee. We look forward to collaborating with our ecosystem partners to unlock new avenues for growth and secure Saudi Arabia’s future as a global leader in tourism and aviation.”
Saudia boasts an extensive network of over a hundred destinations across four continents, supported by its young fleet of 143 Boeing and Airbus aircraft. With an ambitious strategy to expand its fleet, the airline is dedicated to launching new international destinations, aiming to connect the world to the Kingdom.
This initiative also contributes to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 across various sectors, including tourism, entertainment, finance, business, Hajj, and Umrah.
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