Saudia has launched its latest new route after a passenger laden Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed Dammam, Saudia Arabia, for the UK capital, London.
Saudia flight SV117 took off from Dammam King Fahd International Airport (DMM) on November 6, 2025, just before 16.30, local time, bound for London-Heathrow Airport (LHR).
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered HZ-AR11, is expected to arrive in London around 20:20, after a seven-hour flight where it will be greeted by Saudia staff.
Saudia executives, including CCO Arved von zur Muehlen , are currently visiting London to attend the latest edition of the World Travel Market.
Saudia announced in July 2025, that it would start a three-weekly service between the two cities as part of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program efforts to expand the country’s international destination network.
Through a strategic partnership between #Dammam_Airports, #Saudia, and the #AirConnectivity Program, the first direct flights from #Dammam to #London have taken off A strategic milestone that strengthens the Kingdom's air connectivity and positions the Eastern Province as a… pic.twitter.com/PYaFaJKFBH
— مطارات الدمام (@DACOKSA) November 6, 2025
Saudia views its operations to the UK among the most strategically important with the airline already flying frequently to the European hub.
The new route to Heathrow from Dammam is the fifth linking Saudia to London, with non-stop flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Neom Bay already part of the carrier’s regular schedule.
As well as Heathrow, Saudia currently also flies to London-Gatwick Airport (LGW), Birmingham Airport (BHX), and Manchester Airport (MAN).
According to the Saudia, there is strong demand from both UK and Saudi residents in utilizing the routes and visiting each other’s countries.
Dammam is perhaps one of the lesser-known cities in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh, Jeddah and Medina but is still of huge importance as the Kingdom’s oil center.
من الدمام إلى لندن .. رحلة مباشرة وتجربة لا تُنسى#مطار_الملك_فهد_الدولي
— مطار الملك فهد الدولي (@KFIAirport) November 3, 2025
From Dammam to London .. A direct flight and an unforgettable experience#KING_FAHD_INTERNATIONAL_AIRPORT pic.twitter.com/cRg795DM3C
Located on the eastern coast on the Arabian Gulf, Dammam has seen rapid modernization while still maintaining is traditional charm.
The new Dammam-Heathrow service has been introduced by the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority, Dammam Airports Company, and Sharqia Development Authority (SDA).
The collective said that the new route “falls in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global tourist destination and attract a wider range of international tourists”.
“The expansion also reflects Dammam’s status as an important economic and tourist hub and supports growth opportunities in the tourism and aviation sectors by enhancing air connectivity and boosting inbound tourism from European markets.” said a spokesperson for the group.