Riyadh: Flynas announced the launch of direct flights connecting Riyadh with Milan, Italy, in cooperation with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Saudi Tourism Authority. Starting today, flynas will operate three weekly direct flights between King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).
According to Saudi Press Agency, the launch of the Riyadh-Milan route comes as part of flynas' growth and expansion strategy under the slogan 'Connecting the World to the Kingdom,' while supporting Saudi Arabia's National Aviation Strategy. The collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program and the Saudi Tourism Authority reflects a shared commitment to opening new markets and facilitating access to the Kingdom.
CEO of the Air Connectivity Program Ahmed Albrahim stated that the launch of the Riyadh-Milan flights marks an important step toward strengthening air connectivity between European countries and the Kingdom, contributing to the growth of the tourism sector and enabling both leisure and business travel. He added that cooperation with the national carrier flynas is part of the ACP's ongoing efforts to develop and launch new international routes in line with the goals of the National Tourism Strategy and to further position the Kingdom as a global destination.
Chief Partnerships and Regulatory Affairs Officer at the Saudi Tourism Authority Abdullah Alhagbani mentioned that the move is significant in expanding air connectivity with priority international markets and reflects the level of cooperation between the tourism and aviation sectors to support growth in tourism to the Kingdom and improve direct access to Saudi destinations. He noted that the initiative will help enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector and strengthen partnerships with European markets in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport, stated that the launch of direct flights between Riyadh and Milan represents a qualitative step in reinforcing Riyadh's position on the map of international destinations and strengthening the airport's role as a key aviation hub linking the Kingdom with major European capitals. The company added that the new route will enrich travelers' experience by providing more diverse and seamless travel options within an operational ecosystem focused on service excellence and travel efficiency, while supporting Riyadh's positioning as a global destination for business, tourism, and culture.
The Air Connectivity Program aims to support the growth of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector by enhancing air connectivity with countries around the world, developing current and future air routes, and linking the Kingdom to new international destinations. The program targets connecting Saudi Arabia to 250 destinations by 2030. In its capacity as the executive enabler of the National Tourism Strategy, the program works to enhance cooperation and build partnerships with public- and private-sector stakeholders across the tourism and aviation sectors, contributing to strengthening the Kingdom's status as a leading global tourism destination.