Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, began flights from Birmingham Airport (BHX) this week.
The airline will fly three times a week to Jeddah, its vibrant second city on the Red Sea which boasts a unique array of cultural and commercial attractions.
At 1300 BST (British Summer Time), Saudia’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, flight SV0250, touched down, before departing as flight SV0250 for Jeddah 14 1430.
BHX’s Jeddah services will fly on Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.
Ms. Manal Alshehri, VP Passenger Sales for Saudia, at BHX, said: “We are proud to be expanding our operations in the United Kingdom and continue to regularly offer new destinations to our guests.
“The United Kingdom is a very important destination for SAUDIA, and the launch of new direct flights to and from Birmingham highlights the strengthening of relations between our two countries.
“We’re also very grateful for the continuous support from the Air Connectivity Program, which enables us to continue to grow as we work towards our objective to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.”
Nick Barton, chief executive of BHX, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Saudia to Birmingham Airport for what we hope will be a long-lasting and fruitful partnership.
“Among the six million people who live in our immediate catchment are many thousands who now have wonderful new options with Saudia, whether they’re travelling for business, leisure, family, or religious purposes.
“Some will go to Jeddah to sample its beautiful beaches, modern architecture, and rich cultural heritage, including the historic Al-Balad district. Some will go on to Makkah and Medina for Hajj.
“Others will travel onwards via Saudia’s impressive global network to destinations in Asia, Africa and North America.
“Brits travelling from Birmingham beyond Jeddah, can also make use of the ‘stop-over visa’ – a chance to enjoy Jeddah before heading on.”
Saqib Bhatti, MP for Meriden, the constituency in which BHX sits, said: “I know for many, the journey to Saudi Arabia is a particularly special and meaningful one.
“So, it is great to see the launch of the new Jeddah service from Birmingham Airport that will serve my constituents, the West Midlands, and the wider region.
“With greater international routes, Birmingham Airport is cementing itself as a global travel hub, continuing to boost the local economy and increasing the West Midlands’ global reach and connectivity.”
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company said: “It is great to see our links to the Middle East expand further with the arrival of Saudia. Since visiting Expo 2020 last year, we have been working hard to grow the West Midlands’ presence in the region, and our relationship with the Middle Eastern market has gone from strength to strength.
“With more people than ever visiting and investing in the West Midlands over the last 12 months, this news will open up even more opportunities for tourism and business.”
