The New Destination facilitates procedures for Turkish Muslim pilgrims.

More than 16.000 seats will be provided during the rest of the current year.

Another milestone that reaffirms Saudia’s leadership in airlines industry and its commitment to continuously provide new routes and destinations to its valued guests,Saudia launches its direct flights to Ankara, the second destination to Turkey after Istanbul, and the third international destination launched in 2016 after Maldives and Munich.

The first flightto Ankara (SV271), which was operated by the single-aisle ultra-modern A330-300 Regional, departedat 09:55 from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Esenboga International Airport on Friday 18th, Nov., 2016. Captain Sultan M. al-Dhuwaihi, Vice-CEO of Saudi Arabian Airlines, multitude of senior executives in Saudia, and a throng of journalists, in addition to some guests were onboard.

Upon landing, the aircraft was met with a ceremonial water canon salute and was welcomed by Dr. Adel S. Merdad, ambassador of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosque to Turkey, Mr. Hayrettin Balciogluthe representative of the Turkish Ministry of Transportation and director of Esenboga International Airport, top executives and prominent figures in the airport and the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

During the welcoming ceremony, Al-Dhuwaihi gave a speech where he talked about the deep relationship between the Kingdom and the Turkish Republic which became more united, stronger, more prosperous and more vibrant. He emphasized that Saudi Arabian Airlinesis scrambling to keep up with this development in the relationship by increasing flights and seat capacity, and facilitating procedures for Turkish Muslim pilgrims which, in turn, will enhance communication between the two brotherly peoples and further promote cooperation in all fields. Al-Dhuwaihi, also, averred that expanding Saudia’s international network is a strategic goal for Saudi Arabian Airlines and part of its promising Transformational Program and SV2020. Moreover, he clarified that (38) flights are already being operated weekly between four Saudi cities; Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, and Dammam, and the Turkish city, Istanbul.

Furthermore, Dr. Merdad, ambassador of the Kingdom to Turkey, expressed his pleasure for launching the direct flights between the Kingdom and Ankara, and emphasized that such a step will strengthen the growing relations between the two countries and will open up a broad prospects for more economic relations and further trade exchange between both of them.

With the cushiest seats ever, 17-in personal touch-screen, wi-fi service through (Saudia Skyfi) app, up-to-the-minute personal seat back entertainment systems, more than (1.500) hours of award-winning movies and latest TV shows, the operated aircraft, A330-300 Regional, provides Suadia’s guests with unprecedented comfort level, world-class service, and everything that inflight entertainment should be.

The first departed flight (SV272) took off from Esenboga International Airport at (14:50) and arrived to King Abdulaziz International Airport at (18:20). Turkish coffee and souvenirs were presented to Saudia’s guests.

Seven flights will be operated weekly (a flight daily); (4) of which will be operated from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and (3) from Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International airport in Madinah.

The 4-weekly-scheduled flights, Jeddah-Ankara (SV271) will depart at (08:35) and arrived at (12:10), while Ankara-Jeddah (SV272) will depart Ankara at (13:30) and arrive at (16:40). The flights will be operated on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from King Adbulaziz International Airport.

On the other hand, the 3-weekly-scheduled flights Madinah-Ankara (SV273) will depart at (08:50) and arrived at (12:10), and Ankara-Jeddah flight (SV274) will depart Ankara at (13:30) and arrive at (16:40). The flights will be operated on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport.

(16,424) seats will be provided during the rest of the current year. Simultaneously, (38) flights are already being operated weekly between the Saudi cities; Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, and Dammam, and the Turkish city, Istanbul. (3.150) flights had been operated during 2015, handling (465,712) guests, and (2.383) flights had been operated during the first months of 2016, handling (400,804) guests.

Launching the new flights to Ankara expands Saudia’s international network to include (56) destinations, and increases the daily flights to (600) domestic and international flights which is considered to be the largest number of daily flights in the whole region.