Saudia Celebrates Launch of New Direct Flights from Dammam to Beijing

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has officially launched a new flight route connecting Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport to Beijing, China. The inaugural flight took off on 28 October 2024 and marked the third city in Saudi Arabia to offer Saudia flights to Beijing, following Jeddah and Riyadh.

This new route, operating twice weekly in each direction, is part of Saudia’s continued expansion of its services in collaboration with the Dammam Airports Company (DACO) and aligns with the airline’s strategy to strengthen connectivity from its Jeddah hub.

The launch event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Dammam, attended by notable dignitaries including Mr. Wang Qimin, Consul General of China; Engr. Mohammed Al-Hassany, CEO of DACO; and Mr. Wail Basaffar, Assistant Vice President of KSA Sales at Saudia.

The introduction of this route increases the weekly seating capacity between Saudi Arabia and Beijing to approximately 1,310 seats over four flights, with an additional 1,966 seats weekly to Guangzhou across six flights. Saudia’s Boeing B787 Dreamliner, known for its efficiency and passenger comfort, will serve this route.

Engr. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hassany highlighted the significance of the new route, stating, “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 aligns with our strategic aim to grow international air traffic, attracting new airlines and increasing direct destinations to bolster economic and tourism growth in the Eastern Province.” Al-Hassany also noted a 16.2% increase in passenger numbers from January to September 2024 compared to the previous year, commending the efforts of DACO’s team in achieving this milestone.

Mr. Wail Basaffar of Saudia commented on the airline’s evolving operational model, which now emphasizes flexibility and growth in response to passenger demand. He stated, “This new route is a testament to Saudia’s innovative and flexible operational model, leveraging our Jeddah hub while integrating other major airports to enhance connectivity. Our modern and expanding fleet ensures we continue meeting and exceeding guests’ expectations.”

Since beginning operations to Beijing, Saudia has transported over 84,890 passengers on 482 flights between the Kingdom and China. From January to September 2024, the airline carried 78,560 guests between Saudi Arabia and Guangzhou, reflecting a 19% growth in demand compared to the same period in 2023.