China Southern Airlines is set to inaugurate a direct flight service from Beijing Daxing to Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on April 16th. This new route is expected to enhance economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, offering travelers more options for their journeys.
The service will be operated by the advanced Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with flights scheduled for Tuesdays and Saturdays. Flight CZ5077 is planned to depart from Beijing Daxing International Airport at 15:10 Beijing time, arriving at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 20:10 local time, with a total flight duration of about 10 hours. The return flight, CZ5078, will take off at 22:10 local time, arriving in Beijing the following day at 12:00, covering the journey in approximately 8 hours and 50 minutes.
To ensure a smooth operation of this route, China Southern Airlines offers through-check luggage service and has launched the "New Route, Enjoy Flight" international travel package, aimed at providing passengers with more favorable and convenient airline services. Details and booking information can be accessed through the China Southern Airlines App.
Additionally, the Saudi Arabian Air Connectivity Program (ACP) has formed a "strategic partnership" with China Eastern Airlines, announcing the initiation of a direct flight from Shanghai Pudong to Riyadh starting April 8th, with three flights per week operated by the Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Following the Beijing to Riyadh and Shanghai to Riyadh routes, future direct flights connecting South China with Saudi Arabia are in planning, with ACP having already signed a cooperation agreement with Hainan Airlines, further strengthening the aerial connection between the two countries.
Beyond passenger transport, the cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in cargo flight routes is also deepening. On March 16th, Saudi Arabian Airlines launched its first regular international cargo flight from Shenzhen to Riyadh, offering two flights per week. This not only expands the air logistics channel between Shenzhen and Saudi Arabia but also promotes trade with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in fields such as e-commerce and electronics. The launch of this route has increased Shenzhen's weekly cargo flights to Riyadh to 11, with a total weekly capacity of over 1100 tons, providing strong support for Shenzhen companies' trade and economic exchanges with Belt and Road countries.
In 2022, the heads of state of China and Saudi Arabia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, marking a new era in bilateral relations. In 2023, China's exports to Saudi Arabia reached a total value of $4.29 billion, a 14.5% increase compared to the previous year. As the Belt and Road Initiative continues to deepen, cooperation between the two countries in the digital economy, cultural exchanges, and Silk Road e-commerce is continuously expanding, showing strong development momentum.