Saudi Arabia’s flagship airline, Saudia, has announced plans to establish direct flights between Riyadh and Tokyo starting in November 2026. The new route will operate three times a week from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, marking a strategic move in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program and the Saudi Tourism Authority. This service aims to strengthen tourism, trade, and business ties between the two nations.
This initiative is pivotal to Saudi Arabia’s broader goals under Saudi Vision 2030, which includes positioning the Kingdom as a central global hub for tourism and logistics. By providing an additional international gateway, the new route will improve access to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the National Aviation Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy. The Saudi Tourism Authority is also actively working with partners in Japan to create travel packages that will attract Japanese tourists, further promoting Saudi Arabia as a desirable destination.
The introduction of this new flight path comes at a strategic time, as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027. The direct flights are expected to ease travel for the event, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to facilitating international travel for major sporting occasions and enhancing its global connectivity.
Currently, Saudia operates an extensive network with flights to over 100 global destinations. As part of its expansion efforts, the airline is set to incorporate 112 new aircraft into its fleet. This expansion supports Saudia’s mission to broaden its reach and improve its service offerings worldwide, further enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position on the global aviation map.
