Saudi Arabia eyes Belgrade, Zagreb flights

Saudi Arabia sees potential in the introduction of flights from both Belgrade and Zagreb to the Kingdom through its Air Connectivity Program. Established in 2021, the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) enables airlines to connect with aviation partners and authorities in the country, providing market entry, route sustainability and co-marketing support. The program has so far proven successful with British Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, ITA Airways, Eurowings, Transavia, Cathay Pacific and a number of other Chinese carriers introducing flights to Saudi Arabia over the past few months.

Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News at the CAPA Airlines Leaders Summit in Belgrade, Majid Khan, CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, said, “We look at markets like Belgrade and Zagreb and we would love to have them connected to Saudi Arabia. If you ask me personally which two markets in the Balkans I feel are relevant and where there is potential, these are definitely Belgrade and Zagreb with Air Serbia and Croatia Airlines”. He added, “In these markets, people are explorers. Yes, you have been to Spain and Italy a few times, but you want to explore new destinations and we see the same across this part of Europe”. Regionally, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania boast flights to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi carriers, which can also benefit from the ACP, have shown interest in serving both Serbia and Croatia in the past. Low cost carrier Flynas applied for slots to launch seasonal operations between Riyadh and Belgrade in the summer of 2022, between May and late September, however, the route never materialised. Saudi Arabia is one of Belgrade’s largest unserved markets in the Middle East, with Riyadh having the most indirect passengers between the two countries, followed by Dammam and Jeddah. Flynas also expressed interest in introducing operations between Riyadh and Dubrovnik during the summer of 2024 following talks with the Croatian airport, however, it ultimately did not follow through. Dammam sees the most indirect traffic with Croatia, followed by Riyadh and Jeddah.

The ACP was established in 2021 with the primary goal of supporting air travel partners as they initiate or expand their presence in the Kingdom. The program aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in air connectivity by developing new and existing routes. Following an extremely successful 2024, Virgin Atlantic will become the newest beneficiary of the ACP next year. The Kingdom had initially set a target to welcome 100 million tourists by 2030. That figure was already surpassed in 2023, with the new goal now to reach 150 million tourists, indicating the large potential for air travel as the country begins to open up to the world.