Saudi Arabia’s aviation ambitions continue to reach new heights — and new destinations.

This new direct flight is set to unlock a new destination for Saudi Arabian travellers, and will offer the beauty and rich-history of the Red Sea port city to Chinese tourists looking to explore Saudi Arabia.

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Operating three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays — this new flight service by Hainan Airlines will offer tourists a 10-hour non-stop journey across 4,588 miles (7,382 km), connecting two vibrant destinations with growing global influence.

This new route not only adds an exciting destination to Saudi Arabia’s growing list of direct connections, it also makes Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) the first airport in the Kingdom to offer direct access to the Chinese city of Haikou, further underscoring Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a dynamic international hub.

According to Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Saudi Arabia has increase by 52% when compared to the figures of 2024, reflecting a surge in interest in exploration and the growing bilateral and commercial ties.

China Introduces Visa Free Travel for Saudis

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Effective from June 9, 2025, Saudi Arabian citizens and passport holders can travel to China, visa-free and stay for up to 30 days. However, citizens and passport holders will onlyl be able to avail of this visa-free travel to China until June 8, 2026.

This expanded visa-free travel policy has been expanded include all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This completes China's visa-free coverage for the entire GCC bloc, as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have enjoyed mutual visa exemptions with China since 2018.

About this announcement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Mao Ning announced the initiative, highlighting its goal to enhance mobility, foster cultural exchange, and deepen economic collaboration between China and the Gulf region: “We welcome more friends from GCC countries to embark on a spontaneous trip to China.”

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Travel Routes Between Saudi & China

This new direct fligh t between Haikou and Jeddah further strengthens the growing air network between Saudi Arabia and China, adding consistency and convenience to an increasingly active travel corridor.

The Kingdom's national carrier, Saudia offers travellers direct flights between Saudi Arabia and China, with four routes in operation. The carrier provides twice-weekly flights from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) and three time weekly flights from Riyadh (RUH) to Guangzhou. In addition, Saudia has recently launched new direct routes from JED and RUH to Beijing Daxing, further expanding its connectivity between the two nations.

Since the summer of 2024, China Southern has operated a twice weekly flight connecting China's Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport to Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport (RUH) using Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

China's Role in Saudi's Vision 2030 Plans

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This new route is more than another new direct flight — it’s a bridge: this recently inaugurated flight supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by allowing for an increase in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange with China.

Air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and China now includes six airlines operating 29 weekly flights, an encouraging development as the Kingdom intensifies efforts to reach its target of attracting five million Chinese visitors each year by 2030. Saudi Arabia aims to position China as its third-largest source of international visitors by 2030.

The Hainan Province's capital city of Haikou is often dubbed the “Hawaii of China,” as the southern island known for its tropical feels, lush beaches, duty-free shopping, and booming free trade zone. For Saudi travellers, this new connection is set to offer a fresh and exotic destination; for Chinese visitors, it opens the door to Jeddah’s rich heritage, Red Sea coastline, and proximity to the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah.

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