Airline to deploy Airbus A321XLR as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia seek to deepen aviation, trade and investment ties…..
Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, is set to get a direct air link to Jeddah as Saudia Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, prepares to commence flights on the route in December.
The development was announced by Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Nigeria, during the kingdom’s 96th National Day celebration in Abuja.
Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, disclosed the planned service in a post on X on Thursday, describing it as the outcome of discussions that had been ongoing between both countries.
“Yesterday, I was privileged to attend the National Day celebration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja,” Keyamo wrote.
“During his speech, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi announced the start of direct flights from Abuja to Jeddah in December by SAUDIA AIRLINES, something we have all worked on for some time now.”
The new route will be operated with the Airbus A321XLR, according to Keyamo.
The minister linked the deployment to the federal government’s push for international airlines serving Nigeria to use newer aircraft.
“We are also pleased to note that, due to our continued insistence on deployment of newer aircraft by foreign airlines to the Nigerian route, SAUDIA AIRLINES, have unveiled the AIRBUS 321 XLR, the newest model of the AIRBUS family, to be deployed on the Abuja-Jeddah route,” Keyamo said.
The new connection is expected to strengthen air links between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, where Nigerians travel regularly for religious pilgrimage, business, education and other purposes.
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia seek wider economic partnership
Beyond aviation, both countries are looking to expand their relationship into a broader economic partnership.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia were moving beyond their traditional ties to pursue greater cooperation in sectors including agriculture, energy, investment, aviation, financial technology and trade.
In a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special assistant on media, Idris said stronger cooperation in these areas could translate into practical economic benefits for both countries.
He described the relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia as one shaped by longstanding historical, religious and people-to-people connections, as well as shared economic interests.
For generations, Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, education, commerce and other activities, providing a longstanding link between the two countries.
Idris said Nigeria could also draw from Saudi Arabia’s development experience as the federal government pursues its economic reform programme under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“The administration has been implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the economy, improving the investment environment, expanding infrastructure and creating greater opportunities for Nigerians,” the minister said.
He said the government was investing in road and rail infrastructure, working to improve electricity supply and reforming the oil and gas industry, while also placing greater emphasis on agriculture, manufacturing, digital technology and the creative economy.
Government seeks Saudi investment
The information minister said Nigeria was working to make its investment environment more predictable as it seeks to attract long-term capital.
He pointed to recent reforms in the deep offshore sector, saying the changes were designed to unlock fresh investment while increasing Nigerian participation in the industry.
“We welcome Saudi investors and businesses that are interested in Nigeria. There is considerable room for cooperation in agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology and other productive sectors,” Idris said.
He also praised the Saudi Arabian embassy for its role in strengthening bilateral relations and expressed confidence that cooperation between both countries would continue to expand.
The planned Abuja-Jeddah service comes as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia seek to broaden their relationship beyond the longstanding religious and cultural links that have traditionally connected their citizens, with aviation, trade and investment emerging as areas for deeper engagement.
