Saudia Expands Reach in Bangladesh with New Route to Chittagong

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is set to expand its network in Bangladesh by introducing flights to Chittagong, the country’s second-largest city and a key port on the southeastern coast. This new route will complement Saudia’s existing services to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

The service, scheduled to start on March 1, will connect Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) with Chittagong’s Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP). The operation will be four times a week using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Although reservations are not yet available, this 3,354-mile (2,915-nautical mile) route is anticipated to be Saudia’s fourth connection to Bangladesh, alongside flights from Jeddah, Madinah, and Riyadh to Dhaka.

With this expansion, Saudia will join Biman Bangladesh Airlines in serving the Jeddah-Chittagong market. Biman currently operates three roundtrips per week on this route using Boeing 777-300 aircraft and also offers a weekly connection between Madinah and Chittagong with a Boeing 787-8.

In addition to the Chittagong service, Saudia has announced other network updates for the northern summer 2024 season. The airline plans to resume flights between Riyadh and Barcelona on June 7, operating twice weekly with Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This resumption follows a break in the service since August 2022. Furthermore, Saudia intends to increase its frequency between Jeddah and London Gatwick Airport from four to five times per week from April 8 to May 14.

Saudia’s expansion into Chittagong and the adjustments to its summer schedule reflect the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing more travel options for passengers. The new route to Chittagong, in particular, is set to foster increased business and cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, serving the significant travel demand in both regions.