Saudia Eyes More Flights Between Malaysia, Saudi Arabia As KLIA Anchors Asia-Pacific Growth

By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Saudia Airlines is exploring opportunities to increase flight frequencies between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and key Saudi Arabian destinations in 2026, as Malaysia strengthens its role as a strategic growth and feeder market in the airline’s Asia-Pacific (APAC) expansion strategy.

Saudia Airlines East Asia and Australia general manager Reham K Zarei said Malaysia remains a priority market for the country’s national carrier, supported by resilient demand for religious travel as well as rising leisure and business flows between both countries.

“The Malaysian market continues to show encouraging growth, and we are exploring opportunities to increase flight frequencies between Kuala Lumpur and Saudi Arabia in 2026, aligned with the market demand,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. 

 

Malaysia’s growing traffic and strategic importance

The potential expansion from KLIA is underpinned by strong two-way travel growth.

In 2024, he noted that arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia rose to 68,382 visitors, representing a 23.7 per cent year-on-year increase, highlighting Malaysia’s growing appeal among Saudi travellers and its importance within its regional network.

“As the only airline offering regular direct flights between the two nations, we play a crucial role in connecting Malaysian pilgrims to Jeddah and Madinah, and Saudi travellers to Malaysia’s rich luxury, nature, and cultural experiences,” he said.

 

Codeshare strengthens regional connectivity

Malaysia’s strategic value is further reinforced by Saudia’s codeshare partnership with Malaysia Airlines, established in December 2022. “By placing Malaysia Airlines’ ‘MH’ code on our services to Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Cairo, as well as our ‘SV’ code on their flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Penang, we offer travellers seamless connections and greater access across Asia, Australia and Saudi Arabia’s key destinations, including Madinah and AlUla,” he said.

This collaboration, Zarei noted, enhances convenience, expands travel options, and brings together the signature hospitality of both carriers, while improving network reach and connectivity.

 

Asia-Pacific central to growth strategy

Beyond Malaysia, the airline said the Asia-Pacific region remains central to Saudia’s long-term international growth under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, serving as a key corridor for both passenger and cargo expansion.

In the first half of 2025, Saudia carried more than 17.5 million passengers globally, recording a 7.2 per cent year-on-year increase.

According to Zarei, Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, emerged as one of the strongest contributors to this growth, reflecting sustained demand for business, leisure, and religious travel.

International passenger traffic rose five per cent to more than 9.6 million passengers during the period, supported by increasing connectivity and the recovery of long-haul travel across Asia.

To date, Saudia Airlines operates to 21 routes across Asia, including Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Manila, Bangkok, Medan, Phuket, Jakarta, Male, and Beijing.  

 

Fleet expansion and network flexibility

To support its expansion plans, Zarei said Saudia is undertaking one of the largest fleet growth programmes in its history, with 117 new aircraft to be inducted. “The fleet modernisation, anchored by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is expected to enhance operational efficiency, increase route flexibility and support higher frequencies across long-haul markets, including Asia-Pacific,” he added. 

To showcase its upgraded products and cabins, he said the airline regularly conducts trade workshops and actively participates in major industry events such as the MATTA Fair, one of East Asia’s key travel exhibitions.

 

Evaluating new and resumed SEA routes

He also reiterated that Southeast Asia remains a priority region for further network expansion, with Saudia continuing to evaluate opportunities to launch new destinations or resume previously suspended routes, including Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. “We continue to evaluate these opportunities and will move forward as fleet and operational resources allow, ensuring we can deliver the high standards of service and reliability our guests expect,” he said. 

Amid increasing competition from other Middle Eastern carriers in Asia, he stressed that Saudia continues to position itself through operational reliability, service quality, and network depth. “The airline recorded an on-time performance of 89.6 per cent, ranking first globally by Cirium in March and June 2025,” Zarei said.

Saudia has also been recognised as a World Class Airline 2026 by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fifth consecutive year for its focus on service excellence and passenger experience. 

 

Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead, Zarei said Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian region are expected to play an even larger role in Saudia’s passenger and revenue growth in 2026, supported by increased frequencies, stronger feeder traffic, and sustained demand between Asia and Saudi Arabia.  “Saudia is looking forward to increasing flight frequencies across key Southeast Asian markets while also exploring opportunities to launch services to new, high-potential destinations in the region,” he said.

He added that Southeast Asia has been of of the strongest feeder regions for its global network, with Malaysia remaining central to that strategy to strengthen connectivity and support sustainable growth.

Founded in 1945 as Saudi Arabian Airlines, now known as Saudia Airlines, operates a fleet of over 140 aircraft, consisting of Boeing B777-368ER, Boeing B787-10 Dreamliner, Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A321, Airbus A320, and Airbus A320ceo.

-- BERNAMA