JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, announced it will launch its second destination to Iraq, to the northern city of Irbil from Oct. 1 this year. The new route will operate three-times-weekly, with non-stop from Jeddah. The airline’s Director General, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, commented on the new route, saying: “Saudia is expanding its route network consistently and increasing air links and seat capacity both intra-regionally and internationally,” Al-Jasser added that “following the airline’s launch of flights to Baghdad, the increase in travel demand between the two countries within a short period of time has provided growth opportunities, which would eventually lead to the introduction of an additional station to support and facilitate the expansion in cooperation.” Saudia’s growing route network and double-digit passenger growth has seen the airline carry more than 22 million passengers between January and July this year. Currently, Saudia flies to more than 90 destinations across four continents with a fleet of 154 aircraft.