Saudia Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, will commence direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December, according to Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development.
In a post on X on Thursday, Keyamo said Yousef Bin Mohammed
Al-Balawi, Saudi Arabia’s envoy 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.”
The minister said Saudia would deploy the Airbus A321XLR on
the Abuja-Jeddah route.
He attributed the deployment to the federal government’s
insistence that foreign airlines operate newer aircraft on Nigerian routes.
“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’
In his remarks, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and
national orientation, said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are deepening their
relationship beyond traditional ties, with greater cooperation in agriculture,
energy, investment, aviation, financial technology, and trade.
According to a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special
assistant on media, these areas can create practical benefits for both
countries and strengthen our economic ties.
The minister said the longstanding relationship between the
two countries was built on history, faith, people-to-people connections, and
shared interests.
He noted that Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for
generations for pilgrimage, education, business, and other purposes.
Idris said Nigeria could draw lessons 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.
He added that the government is investing in roads and rail,
improving electricity supply and implementing reforms in the oil and gas
sector, while increasing attention to agriculture, manufacturing, digital
technology, and the creative economy.
According to Idris, Nigeria is also seeking to attract more
long-term investment by creating clearer and more predictable frameworks for
investors.
The minister said recent reforms in the deep offshore sector
were aimed at unlocking new investment while strengthening 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 both countries, and expressed confidence that
bilateral ties would continue to grow through increased trade, investment,
exchanges, and partnerships.
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