Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, launched a new direct flight between Jeddah and Beijing, in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Implemented on Aug 3, with an inaugural flight from Jeddah to Beijing, this new route provides around 165 million people in Northern China with direct access to the Kingdom, boosting bilateral tourism and marking growing international cooperation between Saudi Arabia and global aviation markets.

Supported by ACP, the Kingdom's air connectivity facilitator, this new route comes as the country reinforces its commitment to enhancing its travel and aviation sectors.

As the ninth new international route introduced in 2023, this strategic addition aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to increase tourism to 100 million annual visits by the end of the decade.

China is a priority growth market for ACP, which also focuses on broader tourism considerations, including the overall travel experience and the quality of airport facilities.

wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn