ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian travellers to Saudi Arabia could soon have a direct flight option from Abuja, with Saudi carrier Saudia Airlines scheduled to begin Abuja-Jeddah services in December 2026, according to Nigeria’s ambassador to the kingdom, Dr Yakubu Gambo.
The planned service is expected to reduce the need for passengers, particularly Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, to travel through third-country airports before reaching Saudi Arabia. Gambo disclosed the arrangement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, November 15, saying the direct service would be expanded to other Nigerian cities in phases. “By December, we will start having Saudi air flights directly from Abuja. And it will scale up to Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano,” the ambassador said.
He explained that the plan followed engagements with Saudi aviation authorities, who had indicated their willingness to support stronger direct air connectivity between both countries. According to Gambo, additional routes are expected to become operational before the end of the first quarter of 2027, while Kano would retain its existing direct flight arrangement.
The ambassador said the planned services would particularly benefit Nigerian Muslims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah by reducing the need for transit through other countries. He said the arrangement was also intended to address concerns about the safety and convenience of pilgrims using indirect travel routes.
Gambo disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed on the proposal and welcomed the initiative. He added that Nigerian pilgrims were expected to benefit from direct flights during the 2027 Hajj exercise.
The ambassador also said Saudi Arabia had indicated readiness to provide technical and financial assistance to support Nigeria’s efforts to operate flights through its national carrier.
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