Qatar Airways launched resumption flight to Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia Thursday. The national airline will operate two weekly flights to Abha, offering connectivity on Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 170 destinations. With the resumption of this route, Qatar Airways brings the total number of destinations it serves within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 11, including: Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, and Yanbu.
Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohammed al-Meer said, “We are delighted to resume flights to Abha, our 11th gateway in Saudi Arabia. With over 140 weekly flights, we connect more than 36,000 passengers weekly between Saudi Arabia and Doha. This highlights our commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting tourism and strengthening economic and cultural ties between our two nations.”
Air Connectivity Program CEO Majid Khan said, “The cooperation between the Air Connectivity Program and Qatar Airways is a significant step in enhancing the kingdom’s air connectivity. This partnership not only connects our two countries but also opens doors for global visitors to explore the unique experiences that the kingdom offers.”
Cluster 2 Airports Company Chief Executive Officer Ali Masrahi said: “The commencement of direct flights between Doha and Abha represents a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. “This new route will not only facilitate travel for tourists and business visitors, but also contribute substantially to the kingdom's National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy. By improving accessibility to the Aseer region, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, these flights will boost local economies, create employment opportunities, and showcase the kingdom's diverse offerings to a global audience.”
Aseer Development Authority (ASDA) Chief of Tourism, Hatim al-Harbi said: “The resumption of flights by Qatar Airways between Doha and Aseer marks a pivotal milestone in our vision to position Aseer as an all-year-round tourist destination at the heart of the GCC. This initiative contributes significantly to our target of welcoming 9.1mn annual visitors in Aseer by 2030. This is more than just a route between two cities -- it is a gateway to the future of tourism in Aseer. It is just the beginning of many steps aimed at transforming the region into a thriving destination for visitors from across the world.”
Qatar Airways began its services to Saudi Arabia with its inaugural flight to Jeddah in January 1997. The airline’s continued investment in the Saudi market highlights its commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences for passengers travelling to and from the kingdom.