Saudia Expands European Network with Direct Flights to Vienna and Athens

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia, has launched direct flights to Vienna and Athens as part of its ongoing efforts to expand its global network. The new routes align with the airline’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe and support the Kingdom’s ambitious tourism and travel goals.

Saudia now operates three weekly flights to Vienna, with the inaugural Airbus A320 service departing from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The airline has also announced plans to extend the route with flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport starting in June.

In addition, the airline introduced seasonal flights to Athens, Greece, with the first service departing from Riyadh on April 2. These flights will operate three times a week, also using an Airbus A320. The airline further plans to launch direct flights from Jeddah to Athens in June 2025.

The new European routes are part of Saudia’s broader expansion strategy, which includes 11 new destinations in 2024, such as Venice, Nice, Malaga, and Bali. This initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy, which aims to attract 150 million annual visitors by 2030.

Celebrating the Vienna launch, Saudia posted on its official X account: “This new destination is an addition to Saudia’s network of over 100 destinations across four continents, supporting national efforts to grow tourism, entertainment, sports, and religious travel, including Hajj and Umrah.”

The airline’s international expansion comes as it records strong passenger growth, with a 16% year-on-year increase in international traffic in 2024. Earlier this week, Saudia also launched a three-weekly service to Bali, marking its second regular route to Indonesia after Jakarta.

Additionally, the airline signed an agreement with Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs last month to enhance pilgrim transportation and services for the 2025 Hajj season. This move strengthens Saudia’s role in the Kingdom’s Air Connectivity Program, which has facilitated more than 60 direct international routes since its launch in 2021.

Saudia currently operates a fleet of 147 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, with plans to expand further by adding 118 new aircraft in the coming years. As part of its 2025 expansion, the airline is set to introduce flights to Antalya, Turkiye, and Salalah, Oman, reinforcing its goal of increasing global market share and solidifying its position as a key player in international aviation.