Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia Airlines, is set to commence direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December, according to Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development.
Keyamo disclosed this in a post on X on Thursday, saying Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Nigeria, announced the development during the kingdom’s 96th national day celebration in Abuja.
“Yesterday, I was privileged to attend the National Day celebration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja,” the aviation minister wrote.
“During his speech, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi announced the start of direct flights from Abuja to Jeddah in December by SAUDIA AIRLINES, something we have all worked on for some time now.”
Keyamo said Saudia would operate the Abuja-Jeddah route with an Airbus A321XLR.
He linked the deployment to the federal government’s push for foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to use newer aircraft.
“We are also pleased to note that, due to our continued insistence on deployment of newer aircraft by foreign airlines to the Nigerian route, SAUDIA AIRLINES, have unveiled the AIRBUS 321 XLR, the newest model of the AIRBUS family, to be deployed on the Abuja-Jeddah route,” Keyamo said.
‘NIGERIA, SAUDI ARABIA DEEPENING RELATIONSHIP BEYOND TRADITIONAL TIES’
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are expanding their relationship beyond traditional ties through increased collaboration in agriculture, energy, investment, aviation, financial technology and trade.
According to a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special assistant on media, the areas of cooperation could deliver practical benefits for both countries while strengthening their economic relationship.
Idris said the longstanding ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia were rooted in shared history, faith, people-to-people links and common interests.
He noted that Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for generations for pilgrimage, education, business and other purposes.
The minister said Nigeria could learn from Saudi Arabia’s development experience as the federal government implements economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“The administration has been implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the economy, improving the investment environment, expanding infrastructure and creating greater opportunities for Nigerians,” the minister said.
Idris added that the government is investing in road and rail infrastructure, working to improve electricity supply and implementing reforms in the oil and gas sector, while increasing its focus on agriculture, manufacturing, digital technology and the creative economy.
He said Nigeria is also working to attract more long-term investment by establishing clearer and more predictable frameworks for investors.
According to Idris, recent reforms in the deep offshore sector are designed to unlock fresh investment while increasing Nigerian participation.
“We welcome Saudi investors and businesses that are interested in Nigeria. There is considerable room for cooperation in agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology and other productive sectors,” Idris said.
He commended the Saudi Arabian embassy for its efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to expand through increased trade, investment, exchanges and partnerships.