Saudi Airlines to Resume Jeddah-Abuja Flights, Envoy Confirms

Abuja – The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Yousef Albalawi, has announced that Saudi Airlines will resume flight operations between Jeddah and Abuja either in June this year or by January 2027.

Amb. Albalawi made the disclosure on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in Abuja.

According to the envoy, the visit aimed to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria and explore opportunities for cooperation in economic, political, and security matters. He also highlighted efforts to continue serving Nigerians traveling for Umrah and Hajj.

“During this visit, we will work with the ministry and the media to correct misinformation and present the right image of Saudi Arabia,” Amb. Albalawi said. “We share the same values and have a historical relationship with Nigeria.”

Responding, Minister Idris noted that the visit demonstrated the Saudi Embassy’s commitment to deepening ties with the Ministry of Information. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to enhance collaboration with Saudi Arabia across the economy, security, and other sectors.

The minister also revealed that the Nigerian government has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) proposed by Saudi Arabia:

1. Cooperation in news exchange between the News Agency of Nigeria and the Saudi Press Agency.

2. Collaboration in radio and television between the Nigerian Television Authority and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority.

3. Cooperation in audiovisual media between the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission.

Minister Idris added that a joint meeting with his Saudi counterpart would soon be held to further strengthen these agreements.