DALLAS — China Southern Airlines (CZ) operated its inaugural flight between Beijing (PKX) and Riyadh (RUH) on Tuesday, April 16. This flight marks a significant milestone as it’s the carrier’s first-ever scheduled passenger flight service connecting the Chinese mainland to Saudi Arabia.

In addition, CZ has also announced a second route to Saudi Arabia from Shenzhen (SZX) starting on June 3, later this year.

Twice-weekly Flight

The twice-weekly flight operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be operated on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The inaugural flight CZ5077 departed from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) at 3:21 pm local time. After a flight of 11 hours and 10 minutes, the Airbus A330-300 with registration B-8362 touched down at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh at 9:31 pm local time.

Moreover, the return flight CZ5078 departed from RUH at 11:47 pm local time and arrived in PKX at 2:03 pm the next day, with a total flight time of about 9 hours and 17 minutes.

Deepening Ties Between China, Saudi Arabia

Zhang Dongsheng, a marketing representative for the CZ, expressed his optimism regarding the positive impact of this new route, as reported by Xinhua Net.

Zhang believes that the launch of this direct flight will catalyze to strengthen relations between the two nations. It is expected to significantly enhance cultural exchange, tourism opportunities, and economic trade between China and Saudi Arabia.

This new direct flight is a major development for both countries, offering businesses and travelers a faster and more convenient way to connect. With CZ at the helm, this route is poised to play a vital role in fostering closer ties.