The Saudi Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) and Singapore Airlines have signed a cooperation agreement.
The agreement aims to enhance air
connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Singapore by launching the first direct
air route linking Singapore and Riyadh, supporting tourism and trade flows, and
reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for air transport.
The new route is scheduled to operate from
Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN) to King Khalid International
Airport in Riyadh, with four weekly flights starting in June 2026.
The service will operate using A350-900
aircraft, with a seating capacity of 303 per flight and a total annual capacity
of 126,048.
This
partnership will expand existing air services between the Kingdom and Southeast
Asia and enhance overall air-connectivity capacity between the two sides.
Saudi Arabia Minister of Transport and
Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser and Singapore Acting Minister for Transport
Jeffrey Siow witnessed the signing.
The
signing took place in the presence of President of the General Authority of
Civil Aviation (GACA) and ACP Chairman of the Executive Committee Abdulaziz
Al-Duailej, and Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
(CAAS) Han Kok Juan.
This came in conjunction with the Kingdom’s
participation in the Changi Aviation Summit 2026 and the Singapore Airshow,
held from February 1 to 3.
Al-Duailej stated that the agreement
represents a qualitative addition to the international route network and
reflects the depth of partnership between the civil aviation sectors of the two
countries.
He noted that it constitutes a pivotal step toward achieving the objectives of the Aviation Programme under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to strengthen the Kingdom’s global air connectivity and competitiveness, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub and connectivity platform.
He added: “The new route between Riyadh and Singapore represents a vital bridge linking the Kingdom with Southeast Asian markets, facilitating the movement of trade and tourism and offering diverse travel options that meet international standards.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Air Connectivity Programme Majid Khan said that the signing of the cooperation agreement with Singapore Airlines is a strategic step that underscores the commitment to strengthening air connectivity and opening new travel horizons from Southeast Asia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He noted that the partnership marks an important milestone in expanding destination networks, supporting tourism growth, and providing more travel options for visitors arriving from Singapore and around the world, and expressed confidence that the agreement will generate a sustainable, positive impact aligned with national tourism objectives.
Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore
Airlines Goh Choon Phong said: “Our return to Riyadh comes amid its thriving
business environment and ambitious development, making it one of the most
dynamic cities in the Middle East. Beyond being a new destination, this service
will enable us to work with our partners to offer additional travel options for
our customers across the region.” -TradeArabia News Service