Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Shutterstock Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), has launched a new direct flight route today between Riyadh and Larnaca, the capital of Cyprus, in a strategic move strengthening ties between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf.
The new route, first reported by Passport News two months ago, will operate three times a week, marking Saudia's entry as a new player at Larnaca International Airport. This step expands the airline's regional destination network, paralleling the growth in tourism and business trends between Saudi Arabia and Cyprus.
Flight duration: 3:35 hours.
Larnaca Airport welcomed the launch: "We welcome Saudia’s entry into our airport – it’s a significant step towards expanding the air network and deepening ties with the Gulf region", stated the airport management, adding: "We look forward to fruitful cooperation and new growth opportunities."
This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s clear strategy to enhance its relations with Eastern Mediterranean countries and establish Riyadh as a central gateway to destinations in Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
For decades, Saudi Arabia was a closed, religiously conservative destination, nearly inaccessible to tourists, especially Westerners. However, the transformation happening there, particularly in Riyadh, is nothing short of a revolution.
In a short time, Riyadh has evolved from one of the most obscure and isolated cities in the Gulf to one of the most fascinating and ambitious cities globally.
Under the giant banner of "Vision 2030", Saudi Arabia is not just opening its doors; it is surging forward with undeniable intensity. The capital city is expanding vertically and horizontally: vast projects, new neighborhoods, museums, exhibitions, major events, contemporary cuisine, and dozens of luxury hotels being built one after another.
A country that was once almost off the map now finds itself at the center of the global conversation in tourism, culture, economy, and politics.
The opening of this new air route from Cyprus to Riyadh is another small expression of this significant change, with growing recognition that Saudi Arabia is no longer a peripheral destination but an integral part of the new global map.