Saudi Airlines to begin direct Abuja-Jeddah flights in December

Saudia Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, will commence direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December, according to Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development.

In a post on X on Thursday, Keyamo said Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Nigeria, announced the development during the kingdom’s 96th national day celebration in Abuja.

“Yesterday, I was privileged to attend the National Day celebration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja,” the aviation minister wrote.

“During his speech, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi announced the start of direct flights from Abuja to Jeddah in December by SAUDIA AIRLINES, something we have all worked on for some time now.”

The minister said Saudia would deploy the Airbus A321XLR on the Abuja-Jeddah route.

He attributed the deployment to the federal government’s insistence that foreign airlines operate newer aircraft on Nigerian routes.

“We are also pleased to note that, due to our continued insistence on deployment of newer aircraft by foreign airlines to the Nigerian route, SAUDIA AIRLINES, have unveiled the AIRBUS 321 XLR, the newest model of the AIRBUS family, to be deployed on the Abuja-Jeddah route,” Keyamo said.

‘NIGERIA, SAUDI ARABIA DEEPENING RELATIONSHIP BEYOND TRADITIONAL TIES’

In his remarks, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are deepening their relationship beyond traditional ties, with greater cooperation in agriculture, energy, investment, aviation, financial technology, and trade.

According to a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special assistant on media, these areas can create practical benefits for both countries and strengthen our economic ties.

The minister said the longstanding relationship between the two countries was built on history, faith, people-to-people connections, and shared interests.

He noted that Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for generations for pilgrimage, education, business, and other purposes.

Idris said Nigeria could draw lessons from Saudi Arabia’s development experience as the federal government implements economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“The administration has been implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the economy, improving the investment environment, expanding infrastructure and creating greater opportunities for Nigerians,” the minister said.

He added that the government is investing in roads and rail, improving electricity supply and implementing reforms in the oil and gas sector, while increasing attention to agriculture, manufacturing, digital technology, and the creative economy.

According to Idris, Nigeria is also seeking to attract more long-term investment by creating clearer and more predictable frameworks for investors.

The minister said recent reforms in the deep offshore sector were aimed at unlocking new investment while strengthening Nigerian participation.

“We welcome Saudi investors and businesses that are interested in Nigeria. There is considerable room for cooperation in agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology and other productive sectors,” Idris said.

He commended the Saudi Arabian embassy for its efforts to strengthen relations between both countries, and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow through increased trade, investment, exchanges, and partnerships.