Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier deepens China ties through SkyTeam partner as it builds out route access via Guangzhou and Beijing
Saudia has signed a codeshare agreement with Xiamen Airlines to expand travel options and strengthen air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and China, the airline said on July 15.
Under the agreement, Saudia’s passengers gain access to Xiamen Airlines’ domestic Chinese network from Guangzhou and Beijing to destinations including Xiamen, Hangzhou and Fuzhou, while Xiamen Airlines’ passengers gain access to Saudia’s network into Jeddah and Riyadh through Saudia-operated services from the same two Chinese cities.
Saudia and Xiamen Airlines are both members of the SkyTeam alliance, and the carriers said they would continue building on existing cooperation through shared services and loyalty programme benefits, with passengers able to earn and redeem miles and access eligible premium services across SkyTeam’s global network.
Saudia said the agreement forms part of its wider strategy to strengthen its international presence and expand its destination network through partnerships with global airlines, and supports efforts to enhance air connectivity between the kingdom and key international markets.
Why it matters for the trade
The codeshare gives Saudia single-booking access into a swathe of secondary Chinese cities it doesn’t serve directly, while offering Xiamen Airlines passengers a more integrated route into Saudi Arabia through Guangzhou and Beijing rather than requiring separate tickets or interline arrangements.
For inbound tourism and MICE operators targeting the Chinese outbound market, particularly given Saudi Arabia’s push to grow visitor numbers from China ahead of Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup, this adds a more seamless booking path for Chinese travellers routing through Xiamen Airlines’ domestic network into the kingdom, and is worth factoring into any China-focused Saudi tourism packaging.