RIYADH: Aviation firm China Southern Airlines has been given the green light by Saudi Arabia to operate flights between Riyadh and three cities in the Asian country.
The Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, through its Air Transport and International Cooperation Sector, authorized the company to commence regular operations from Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to the Saudi capital, according to a statement.
Starting April 16, the travel schedule will include four passenger or commercial flights, as well as three air cargo trips, a week.
This initiative is part of GACA’s continuous efforts to strengthen connectivity and broaden the Kingdom’s air transport network as part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
These measures aim to transform the region into a global logistics hub and open new opportunities for the sector, aligning with the ambitions of the Saudi Aviation Strategy.
These developments come as a new air route between Riyadh and Shanghai was established in March, thanks to a collaboration between the Saudi Air Connectivity Program and China Eastern Airlines.
The pair had agreed to enter into a partnership directly linking Pudong Airport and King Khalid International Airport in the Kingdom’s capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported at that time.
The services were scheduled to commence on April 8, with the route set to operate with an A330-200 aircraft, offering an annual capacity of 35,880 inbound seats.
This move is set to enhance air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and China and falls in line with the growing interest and demand for travel between the two nations.
In February, top officials from both countries convened for a high-level meeting in Beijing, focusing on investment opportunities, technology transfer, and enhancing economic cooperation.
The high-level delegation, led by Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, visited the Asian country to convene a joint round table meeting, exploring cooperation in connectivity and discussing partnership aspects across various areas.
During the visit, both nations also discussed the exploration of innovative solutions in aviation, including sustainable fuels, advanced air mobility, and traffic management systems.
Interest was also expressed in integrating artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance the aviation experience and operational efficiency.
Additionally, during its visit, the Saudi delegation emphasized the substantial investments in the sector and reiterated the Kingdom’s openness to further opportunities.
This aligns with GACA’s goal of modernizing the airport system and supports the Kingdom’s tourism sector target of attracting 150 million visitors by 2030.
