Aviation News – A new partnership between Saudia, the airline of Saudi Arabia, and Aegean Airlines, the flag carrier of Greece, means that passengers will prosper from a range of new initiatives between the two airlines. Commencing on May 9th, the expanded network of destinations will benefit both carriers, and an agreement with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs will allow travelers a transit visa for up to 96 hours in the Kingdom.
Together, passengers can now access up to 156 destinations in 47 countries, connecting Zagreb, Santorini, and Rhodes to Saudia’s wider international network.
Wheels up for Aegean
Star Alliance carrier Aegean already serves Jeddah and Riyadh year-round and Dammam seasonally from its hub at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). Saudia also visits seasonally in the summer. Network Planning and Airline Partnerships Director Aegean, Yannis Rasoglou, spoke at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, noting:
“We are very pleased to announce the commencement of a codeshare partnership with Saudia, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia. Following AEGEAN’s ten years of presence in Saudi Arabia with flights between Athens and Riyadh, Jeddah and through this agreement we will be able to enhance the options to our customers’ increased needs and strengthen the mutual goal of increasing traffic between the two countries with direct services. AEGEAN intends to continue its investment in Saudi Arabia by the introduction of more year-round frequencies but also with upgraded aircraft from 2026 onwards”.
The move by the two airlines is set to strengthen connectivity to Saudi Arabia. The National Transport and Logistics Strategy aims to reach over 250 destinations by 2030 and attract 150 million visits by the end of the decade.
Busy time over Hajj
Over 74 days, starting from May 9th, Saudia is busy working through its Hajj 2024 season, which will see 1.2 million pilgrims board its aircraft to the holy land of Mecca, the most sacred city in Islam. The Kingdom’s flag carrier will operate at over 100 destinations with 150 aircraft.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a mandatory once-in-a-lifetime trip all Muslims must make to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The only exceptions are disabilities and the lack of financial means to pay for the trip. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of wisdom or the foundation of the Muslim faith, along with Shahada, Salah, Zakat, and Sawm. All Muslims are obliged to fulfill the five pillars of Islam during their lifetime.
- Jeddah – King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
- Dammam – King Fahd International Airport (DMM)
- Medina – Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)
- Riyadh – King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
- Yanbu – Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport (YNB)
Not just Saudi Arabian carriers participate in the pilgrimage; many international airlines add extra capacity and routes throughout the travel period.
Source: https://simpleflying.com/saudia-aegean-airlines-partnership-connectivity-150-destinations/