Saudia

[Karl C]

HZ-ARF is this Thursday's B789 from Jeddah

 

[Scania1800]

HZ-ARF is this Thursday's B789 from Jeddah

Could change, as before it was HZ-ARG

 

[RichL]

Anyone out and about see this advertised anywhere? For example on any billboards or in the press? If local passengers don’t know about it and continue to travel up or down the road to catch equivalent services, how will it become a popular route?

 

[nwoody2001]

Anyone out and about see this advertised anywhere? For example on any billboards or in the press? If local passengers don’t know about it and continue to travel up or down the road to catch equivalent services, how will it become a popular route?

Well if you look to the likes of BHX-BKK/BOM/ISB/KHI on google flights, you will see that the Saudia Connections are currently some of the cheapest there... thats already a great advertisment! Cant speak speak for how much advertisement is in the local area tho!

 

[Karl C]

Could change, as before it was HZ-ARG

Indeed...

Now HZ-ARB....let's see what lands tomorrow

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

HZ-ARB in the Rihyad 2021 Season Livery it it lands

 

[A330]

Well if you look to the likes of BHX-BKK/BOM/ISB/KHI on google flights, you will see that the Saudia Connections are currently some of the cheapest there... thats already a great advertisment! Cant speak speak for how much advertisement is in the local area tho!

That's right, the service is currently appearing as the cheapest or one of best priced on the likes of Skyscanner, Google flights etc.

I've seen the BHX flights being used to post deals on very busy sites such as:
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/re...age-from-ps357pp-at-skyscanner-saudia-4158819

I think Saudia's inaugural being so close to the A380 return has probably meant they have also benefitted from the increased exposure the airport received last weekend.

My personal opinion - initially the service will be used by religious traffic to Saudia (for which Jeddah is one of the main entry points). That's why I feel a 3 weekly is just right to begin with.

I would hope as the connecting traffic grows we could start to think about a fourth weekly in 12 months?

 

[nwoody2001]

I defo think there is room for all EK/QR/SV to co-exist at BHX, especially whilst PK is still no where to be seen. SV may also benefit from T5's absence as they did operate as the bargain basement route to india...

Excited to see how they all bed in. with SV increase to 4/5 time weekly before QR/EK increase capacity?

 

[IanFarquharson]

I defo think there is room for all EK/QR/SV to co-exist at BHX, especially whilst PK is still no where to be seen. SV may also benefit from T5's absence as they did operate as the bargain basement route to india...

Excited to see how they all bed in. with SV increase to 4/5 time weekly before QR/EK increase capacity?

From a contact

August onwards as the religious demands picks up already certain dates have been blocked booked by many agents, the connecting traffic will gradually pick up as their fares are quite competitive and as the awareness of the route increases obviously more proactive marketing will help especially on the connecting flights.
The demand will surge for the religious traffic which they will pick up automatically I would expect the 4th weekly service to start by summer 24 and that would be a Saturday flight.

 

[Brum X]

Onwards and Upwards for Saudia, I wish them well ;-)

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't think anyone has posted the BHX press release yet?

There has also been an article in The Times about the Gulf carriers at BHX.

I do hope that Saudia will be with us for many years to come


Saudia launches three-times-a-week Jeddah service from BHX

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, began flights from Birmingham Airport (BHX) today.

The airline will fly three times a week to Jeddah, its vibrant second city on the Red Sea which boasts a unique array of cultural and commercial attractions.

At 1300 BST (British Summer Time), Saudia’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, flight SV0250, touched down, before departing as flight SV0250 for Jeddah 14 1430.

BHX’s Jeddah services will fly on Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.

Ms. Manal Alshehri, VP Passenger Sales for Saudia, at BHX, said: “We are proud to be expanding our operations in the United Kingdom and continue to regularly offer new destinations to our guests. The United Kingdom is a very important destination for SAUDIA, and the launch of new direct flights to and from Birmingham highlights the strengthening of relations between our two countries. We’re also very grateful for the continuous support from the Air Connectivity Program, which enables us to continue to grow as we work towards our objective to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.”

Nick Barton, chief executive of BHX, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Saudia to Birmingham Airport for what we hope will be a long-lasting and fruitful partnership. Among the six million people who live in our immediate catchment are many thousands who now have wonderful new options with Saudia, whether they’re travelling for business, leisure, family or religious purposes.

“Some will go to Jeddah to sample its beautiful beaches, modern architecture and rich cultural heritage, including the historic Al-Balad district. Some will go on to Makkah and Medina for Hajj. Others will travel onwards via Saudia’s impressive global network to destinations in Asia, Africa and North America. Brits travelling from Birmingham beyond Jeddah, can also make use of the 'stop-over visa' - a chance to enjoy Jeddah before heading on.”

Saqib Bhatti, MP for Meriden, the constituency in which BHX sits, said: “I know for many, the journey to Saudi Arabia is a particularly special and meaningful one. So, it is great to see the launch of the new Jeddah service from Birmingham Airport that will serve my constituents, the West Midlands, and the wider region. With greater international routes, Birmingham Airport is cementing itself as a global travel hub, continuing to boost the local economy and increasing the West Midlands’ global reach and connectivity.”

Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company said: “It is great to see our links to the Middle East expand further with the arrival of Saudia. Since visiting Expo 2020 last year, we have been working hard to grow the West Midlands’ presence in the region, and our relationship with the Middle Eastern market has gone from strength to strength. With more people than ever visiting and investing in the West Midlands over the last 12 months, this news will open up even more opportunities for tourism and business.”

SAUDIA LAUNCHES THREE-TIMES-A-WEEK JEDDAH SERVICE FROM BHX

Visit Birmingham Airport's News page for the latest airport news. From new routes to updates in the terminal, keep up to date with Birmingham Airport.

www.birminghamairport.co.uk

 

[laviation]

Good route. I expect 4 weekly by S24 too.

 

[mullion]

Saudi don`t do rapid expansion so more likely to see 78X appearing as and when needed also depends on when deliveries come

 

[Karl C]

Saudi Arabia has a new mindset it seems. None of us work for Saudia, so nobody knows what their plans are. Tbh I'm amazed and very happy they're at BHX. Well done routes team and to all involved. Here's to additional frequencies if and when they get scheduled

 

[gulftraveller]

Saudi Arabia has a new mindset…of sorts. The problem is that foreigners have a different view of the country and the airline. The hype over people flying to JED for the beaches and culture is very wishful thinking. I suspect Saudia will do ok at BHX but its growth will be measured, as it was at MAN. As Mullion says, that is their way.

 

[Matty_85]

I can see them doing well. Maybe not the traditional holiday destination for some but with a large Muslim community here in the Midlands who maybe prefer a more conservative culture, I can see it being an attractive beach destination as an alternative to say North Africa or Turkey

 

[Ray Finkle]

The 78X is already making an appearance for a period throughout the autumn

 

[IanFarquharson]

SV loads have been very good
Over 250 yesterday

 

[Kevin Farnell]

SV loads have been very good
Over 250 yesterday

Is that inbound, or outbound? Are both performing similarly?
Even at 250 pax, that's an 84% load factor.

 

[David Cartwright]

SV loads have been very good
Over 250 yesterday

My guess is the loads would be even better if they flew into Australia , offering an alternative to EK and QR