Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are set to strengthen air connectivity, as Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia Airlines, prepares to commence direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December 2026.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Yakubu Gambo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
Gambo said the service would subsequently be extended to Lagos and Port Harcourt, while Kano would retain its existing direct flight arrangement.
He added that additional routes were expected to become operational before the end of the first quarter of 2027.
According to the ambassador, the development followed engagements with Saudi aviation authorities, who expressed their willingness to support direct air connectivity between both countries.
He also disclosed that Saudi Arabia had indicated its readiness to provide technical and financial assistance to enable Nigeria to operate flights through its national carrier.
Gambo explained that the arrangement would ease travel for Nigerian pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah, eliminating the need to transit through other countries.
He noted that the initiative was also informed by safety concerns associated with pilgrims travelling through third-country territories.
The ambassador further revealed that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed on the proposal and welcomed the initiative.
He confirmed that the direct flight arrangement would also be available to Nigerian pilgrims travelling for the 2027 Hajj exercise.
