Gatwick, UK to reinstate Saudi Arabia flights

An air link from Gatwick, UK to Saudi Arabia is being re-established after a nine year gap

Flag carrier Saudia will start serving Jeddah six times a week from 1 June 2023, rising to a daily frequency in August.

The airline will deploy a long range Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the route to King Abdulaziz international airport.

Jeddah, located on Saudi Arabia’s east coast, is an hour’s drive from Makkah (Mecca) and will provide a connection for people travelling during Hajj – the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which takes place on 26 June  to 1 July 2023.

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Gatwick aviation development vice president Stephanie Wear said: “Saudia will be a very welcome addition to London Gatwick’s growing long-haul offer. Although we have services to Middle East destinations such as Dubai, UAE; Doha, Qatar, as well as in Egypt and Turkey, it will be the first time since 2014 we have had flights to Saudi Arabia.

“With the airline’s base in Jeddah, this route also provides excellent onward connections to destinations such as Pakistan, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh.”