Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia Airlines, is set to begin direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah on December 1, 2026, according to Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The announcement was made during Saudi Arabia's 96th National Day celebration in Abuja, where the Saudi ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, revealed the new service.
Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details
Aviation schedule data indicate that Saudia plans to operate the Jeddah-Abuja service three times weekly from December 1, using an Airbus A321XLR, the long-range member of the A321neo family. The frequency is scheduled to temporarily rise to four weekly flights between February 10 and March 9, 2027.
Keyamo said the aircraft choice reflects the Federal Government's push for foreign carriers serving Nigeria to deploy newer-generation aircraft. The scheduled service will connect Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja directly with Jeddah, providing another travel option for Nigerians heading to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, business, education, and other purposes.
The current schedule shows flight SV337 departing Jeddah at 8:45 am and arriving in Abuja at 1:05 pm. The return flight, SV336, is scheduled to leave Abuja at 2:40 pm and arrive in Jeddah at 9:55 pm.
Strengthening Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Economic Ties
The new aviation connection comes as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia move to expand their relationship beyond longstanding religious and cultural links. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said both countries were exploring deeper cooperation in aviation, agriculture, energy, investment, financial technology, and trade.
Idris noted that Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for generations for pilgrimage, education, and business, but the relationship was increasingly taking on a broader economic dimension. He said the Nigerian government was seeking long-term investment by improving infrastructure and creating clearer frameworks for investors.
Investment Opportunities and Impact
The minister identified agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, and technology among sectors where Saudi businesses could explore investment opportunities in Nigeria. The Abuja-Jeddah service could further support those economic links by improving direct connectivity between both countries.
For Nigerian travellers, particularly those based in Abuja and surrounding states, the December launch will provide a direct connection to Jeddah without requiring an international stopover.
In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Cross River State Government has announced plans to expand the fleet of its state-owned airline, Cally Air, with an additional aircraft expected in September 2026, as more Nigerian states invest in aviation to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities.
