Saudia is turning heads once again. The national airline of Saudi Arabia has announced a brand-new direct flight linking Dammam and London Heathrow — and it’s set to take off this November.
The move makes Dammam the fifth Saudi city to boast a non-stop connection with London, joining Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Neom Bay. Industry insiders say it’s a timely addition — and a necessary one.
“This is a game-changer,” remarked an aviation analyst. “Dammam was the largest unserved Middle Eastern city from London last year.”
And the numbers back it up. In 2024 alone, an estimated 73,000 round-trip passengers travelled between Dammam and London, mostly via one-stop flights through Gulf hubs. Heathrow saw the bulk of that traffic. Around 85% of those passengers connected indirectly, often paying premium fares for the inconvenience. The demand was there — the direct route just wasn’t. Until now.
Starting 5 November 2025, the airline will operate three weekly services between King Fahd International Airport (DMM) and London Heathrow (LHR).
- SV117 departs Dammam at 16:00 and lands in London at 20:30 (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)
- SV118 leaves Heathrow at 22:15 and arrives in Dammam at 07:55 the next day (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays)
While Saudia hasn’t confirmed which aircraft will be deployed, speculation points toward the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, known for its long-haul comfort and efficiency.
Dammam is no small player. It’s the heartbeat of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, a critical region rich in oil and gas and brimming with industrial momentum. Analysts have long wondered why it lacked a direct UK connection.
Now, with this new link, business travel, tourism, and cargo flow are expected to surge. The corridor between the two cities has historically shown strong yield potential — the kind of market any airline would want to tap into.
Saudia is entering a more dynamic and competitive UK–Saudi aviation market than ever before.
The airline already runs:
- 22 weekly flights to Riyadh
- 16 to Jeddah
- 2 to Neom Bay
It’s not flying alone. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are major contenders on the Riyadh route, operating 13 and 7 weekly flights respectively. Meanwhile, Wizz Air UK is making a budget-friendly splash by launching new services to Medina and Jeddah from London Gatwick using its fuel-efficient Airbus A321XLR fleet.
These jets — long-range, narrow-body, and economical — are reshaping route maps. They’re opening doors to cities that once seemed out of reach for low-cost airlines.
The Heathrow–Dammam route is more than just another flight. It’s a direct response to an underserved but high-paying market — and a smart strategic step by Saudia.
Could this also light a fire under other players? Wizz Air’s expansion might push Saudia to broaden its competitive pricing strategy. It’s all eyes on how the airline responds in sectors like Medina, where budget carriers are gaining ground.
For now, though, Saudia’s latest launch signals a renewed focus on connectivity — and on making Eastern Saudi Arabia just a few hours away from central London.
