Saudia Airlines to Launch Abuja-Jeddah Direct Flights

Saudia Airlines, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, will begin direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December, as announced by the Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo. This announcement followed a declaration by the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, during the Kingdom’s 96th National Day celebration in Abuja.

The direct flights are a result of ongoing efforts to establish a direct air connection between the two cities. Keyamo stated that Saudia Airlines will operate the route using the Airbus A321XLR, the newest model in the Airbus family, which is designed for longer international routes.

The airline received its first A321XLR in May 2026 and has ordered 15 of these aircraft. The Abuja-Jeddah service is expected to operate three times weekly and is significant for Nigerian travelers, especially those traveling for Hajj and Umrah, as it reduces the need for connecting flights through third countries.