China Southern Airlines expands Middle East Operations with new route to Saudi Arabia

China Southern Airlines is expanding its presence in the Middle East for the summer 2024 season by introducing a second route to Saudi Arabia.

Before launching its first nonstop flights from Beijing Daxing to Riyadh on April 16, the airline has planned a new route from Shenzhen starting in June.

Beginning on June 3rd, China Southern will operate flights twice a week from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport to Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport (RUH) using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, China Southern will be the only carrier on this 4,199-mile route. While China Southern and other Chinese airlines have previously offered seasonal flights to Saudi Arabia to serve religious travellers, these new scheduled routes to Riyadh will be their first regular services to the country.

Currently, Saudia is the sole airline providing direct flights connecting Saudi Arabia and China, operating a total of four routes. The airline offers services from Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) and RUH to Guangzhou, with flights operating twice weekly and thrice weekly, respectively. Additionally, Saudia has introduced new routes from JED and RUH to Beijing Daxing.