RIYADH: UK carrier Virgin Atlantic is set to introduce a direct flight between Riyadh and London starting March 2025, following a new agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program. The service will feature daily flights from Heathrow to King Khalid International Airport, operated with Airbus A330neo aircraft. The inaugural flight is scheduled for March 30, 2025, and will also offer 30 tonnes of cargo capacity for exporting and importing goods such as fresh produce and pharmaceuticals between Riyadh, the UK, and the US, according to a press release. This marks Virgin Atlantic as the tenth airline to partner with ACP this year, highlighting the program’s efforts to enhance aviation links in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The new route supports ACP’s goal of expanding air connectivity and linking new international destinations to Saudi Arabia. “The entry of Virgin Atlantic with flights between London Heathrow Airport and Riyadh will enhance air connectivity and support the growth of international tourism to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the UK and Virgin Atlantic’s network in North America,” said Majid Khan, CEO of ACP. The airline said it will offer a daily service to Riyadh, supporting growth anticipated from Saudi Vision 2030, with air travel between the UK and the Kingdom expected to grow 24 percent from 2019 to 2035. The launch aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aimed at increasing the country’s flight route capacity and attracting over 150 million visitors by 2030. It also underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish itself as a major aviation hub bridging the East and West. Established in 2021, ACP serves as the executive arm of the National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy, focusing on fostering partnerships in the tourism and aviation sectors to position Saudi Arabia as a leading global destination for air tourism.