ITA Airways launches new nonstop flight to King Abdulaziz International Airport

ITA Airways is expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing and strategically important market, by launching its second destination in the Country with the direct Rome-Jeddah roundtrip flight, operating with three weekly frequencies. 

The first flight from Rome Fiumicino, an Airbus A321neo aircraft, landed yesterday at King Abdulaziz International Airport at 9:10 p.m. (local time) and was greeted with a water arch salute. The first flight from King Abdulaziz Airport Intl to Rome Fiumicino departed today at 3:30 a.m. (local time).

To celebrate the launch of this new intercontinental route, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the arrival gate of Jeddah International Airport. The ceremony was attended by Irene Buongiorno, Vice Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, Rashed Al-Shammari, Vice President of Aviation Development at Air Connectivity Program, Glen Wilson, Vice President of Operations of Jeddah Airports, Amira Afandi, Director of Corporate Communication and Public Relations at Jeddah Airports, Pierfrancesco Carino, Vice President International Sales ITA Airways, and Benedetto

Mencaroni, Regional Manager for Asia, Middle East, and Africa ITA Airways.

"We are delighted to inaugurate our first nonstop flight between Jeddah and Rome, strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing market”, said Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare. "This new opening follows the launch of the nonstop connection to Riyadh in June and is part of our ongoing summer network expansion, which boasts excellent booking results. Operated with the state-of-the-art A321neo, this new flight will expand the medium-haul network and enhance commercial and cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and Italy, while also providing connections with our array of destinations accessible via our Rome Fiumicino hub”.

“We are delighted to see ITA Airways commencing the route between Rome and our coastal and historical city of Jeddah, which will further enhance our air connectivity to KSA. Travelers from ITA Airways’ network in Italy, Europe, and the Americas will enjoy a more seamless journey to explore the untapped potential of Jeddah. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with a great partner, ITA Airways”, said Mazin Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) and Majid Khan, CEO of Air Connectivity Program (ACP).

“As a representative of the Italian Consulate, I am thrilled to be part of the strengthening partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia through the launch of the new roundtrip Rome-Jeddah flight. It truly is a testimony of the friendship between the two countries, which not only is rooted in a deep historic relationship, but is further developing the commercial friendship with expanding opportunities”, said Irene Buongiorno, Vice Consul General of Italy in Jeddah. “The new ITA Airways intercontinental route will boost the promotion of our beloved country into Saudi Arabia. Likewise, it is with great pleasure to be part of this unique opportunity for my fellow Italians to be able to discover the kingdom, a beautiful country that I have had the chance to call home for the past seven years. I would like to wish all the success to ITA Airways and King Abdulaziz International Airport, and cannot wait to see the positive impact that this new flight will bring”.

The new connection will operate according to the following schedule:

• Jeddah – Rome with three weekly frequencies: departure from Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport is scheduled at 3:30 a.m. (local time), with arrival in Rome Fiumicino the following morning at 7:00 am (local time) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
• Rome – Jeddah with three weekly frequencies: the timetable includes departure from Rome Fiumicino at 3:05 p.m. (local time) and arrival in Jeddah at 9:10 p.m. (local time) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.