Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia and its subsidiary flyadeal announce opening of 25 new destinations this year, mainly in Europe, Asia and Africa. With aim of boosting tourism to Saudi Arabia, Saudia Group also launches a unique, integrated air ticket and visa.

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia and its subsidiary flyadeal has jointly announced an addition of 25 new destinations on the Saudi Group Network in 2023. According to a press statement by Saudia, the new routes that will start operating this year include Beijing, Birmingham, London Gatwick, Tbilisi, Baku and Tivat.

The statement adds that the first-of-its-kind service ‘Your Ticket Your Visa’ has been introduced by Saudia in January. By connecting transit permits and aircraft tickets through a digital integration system, it enables an even easier access for its customers to visit the Kingdom. With this new service, travellers will be encouraged to conduct Umrah, visit important locations, and go to events while they are travelling within the Kingdom.

Saudia adds that with the new service, available at all of the Kingdom’s international airports, visitors will now be able to remain for up to 96 hours and travel the country as well as complete the Umrah. The transit visa can be issued faster and linked to a Saudia travel ticket thanks to the digital connectivity with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Saudia Group has been carrying the kingdom’s ambitions, values and traditions across every corner of its network, as it flies the nation’s flag around the world. These new destinations will offer greater access and choices to our guests. Given the increase of demand in international travel, this is the right time to expand our global network in new, exciting ways,’’ says Saudia Group CEO Ibrahim Al-Omar.

The airline adds in the statement that it has 142 aircraft in its fleet, including the latest and most advanced wide-bodied jets presently available like the B787-9, B777-300ER, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321 and Airbus A330-300. Over the past year, Saudia’s initiatives have earned it recognition as a 5-Star Global Airline and a diamond rating in the APEX Health Safety category, says the statement.

The statement says that flyadeal’s first flight took off from Jeddah to Riyadh on Saudi National day, September 23, 2017. It was the first airline in the world to launch purely through digital channels, selling 10,000 seats within the first 24 hours of going on sale. Beginning with a trip from Jeddah to Riyadh, the low-cost carrier’s network now spans 27 seasonal, international, and local destinations, adds the statement.