China Southern Airlines to operate regular flights to Riyadh

RIYADH, Apr 08 (Arab News): 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.