Resumption of Syrian Airlines Flights to Saudi Arabia
For the first time in over 12 years, Syrian Airlines has resumed its regular flights to Saudi Arabia. A Syrian Airlines plane landed at Riyadh Airport on Wednesday morning, arriving at 6:30 am Riyadh time with 170 passengers on board. This development follows the recent arrival of a flight carrying pilgrims from Damascus to Jeddah, marking a significant milestone in the renewed relations between the two nations.
The Syrian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ayman Soussan, mentioned that the two countries have agreed to operate one round-trip flight per week between Riyadh and Damascus. Additionally, there is the potential for expanding services to include Jeddah and Dammam airports based on demand and market needs.
Saudi-Syrian Diplomatic Relations
Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Syria in 2012 due to the Syrian government's response to popular protests. However, in March 2023, discussions began regarding the resumption of consular services between the two countries. By May, Saudi Arabia announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Syria, signaling an end to the diplomatic rift. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab Summit in Riyadh for the first time in 13 years, and diplomatic engagements between the two countries have since increased.
Damascus appointed an ambassador to Riyadh in December, while Riyadh sent a chargé d'affaires to Damascus at the beginning of the year and named an ambassador to Damascus in May.
Emirates Airlines Enhances Services in Saudi Arabia
Emirates Airlines has opened a new lounge at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, catering to first and business class passengers as well as Emirates Skywards members. The lounge, which accommodates 196 guests, is the first of its kind in the region outside Dubai and marks the airline's 40th lounge globally. This $20 million facility is located on the third floor of Terminal 1 at the airport.
Mohammed Matar, Emirates Senior Vice President for Airport Services, highlighted the significance of this new lounge, stating that it reflects Emirates' commitment to enhancing the travel experience both in the air and on the ground. The CEO of Jeddah Airports Company, Engineer Mazen Johar, also emphasized the strategic relationship between Emirates Airlines and Saudi Arabia, which has spanned 35 years.
Since its inception, Emirates Airlines has transported over 30 million passengers to and from Saudi Arabia, operating more than 112,000 flights. The airline currently serves Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam with over 70 flights weekly, including three daily flights to Jeddah using the Airbus A380. Emirates Airlines has played a crucial role in facilitating tourism and trade in the Kingdom, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.
