In a major development for global aviation and international travel, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced that it will launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, beginning in June 2026. The service, scheduled to operate four times per week, marks the airline’s return to the Saudi capital after more than a decade and reflects growing demand for business, tourism and cultural exchange between Southeast Asia and the Middle East.The new route is generating buzz across industry and traveller communities as it expands connectivity, strengthens economic ties and opens fresh opportunities for both leisure and corporate travel.
Singapore and Riyadh route details: What travellers need to know
According to Singapore Airlines and aviation reports, the new service will launch on June 02, 2026, with four weekly non-stop flights between Singapore Changi Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with SIA’s Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, a modern widebody jet known for fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats spread across two classes, 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy, catering to a mix of premium and mainstream travellers. At departure, Flight SQ498 from Singapore will leave at around 18:20 local time, arriving in Riyadh at approximately 21:45. The return service, Flight SQ499, will depart Riyadh at 23:00, landing back in Singapore the following afternoon.
Singapore Airlines Returns to Riyadh After 12 Years: What’s Driving the Sudden Demand?
This direct routing cuts out previous stopovers and long layovers, offering an efficient option for passengers who previously had to connect via other cities on this corridor.
Singapore Airlines’ strategic return after 12 years
Singapore Airlines previously operated services to Riyadh until 2014 but withdrew due to limited demand at the time. The relaunch of the Singapore–Riyadh route after more than a decade underscores how travel patterns and economic links have changed significantly.Riyadh’s rapid transformation into a commercial, cultural and tourism hub is driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda and has positioned the city as a key destination for international airlines looking to tap growth across sectors. The capital’s infrastructure, luxury hotels, entertainment attractions and business ecosystem make it a compelling choice for expanded global connectivity.Analysts note that resuming direct flights from Singapore, a major global transit and tourism hub, reflects both strong corporate travel demand and growing interest in leisure connections between Southeast Asia and the Gulf region. Direct connectivity between Singapore and Riyadh enhances business travel ease for corporate executives, investors and government delegations.Riyadh’s role as a financial and administrative hub in Saudi Arabia, hosting everything from major conferences to trade expos, benefits from improved access to Asia’s leading business gateway. For leisure travellers, the route unlocks Riyadh’s growing cultural and historical offerings, from Diriyah’s UNESCO heritage sites to modern museums, shopping districts and lifestyle experiences, without the disruption of stopover travel. Singaporeans and residents in Southeast Asia can now easily add Riyadh to their itineraries, boosting inbound tourism to Saudi Arabia.
Singapore Airlines to Riyadh: Is This the Future of Middle East-Asia Travel?
This move complements existing services in the region, such as Scoot’s flights to Jeddah, providing more flexibility for travellers navigating the Middle East and beyond. The expanded network also fits into broader aviation strategies where Gulf hubs serve as bridges between continents. The resumption of Singapore–Riyadh flights comes at a time when global aviation is recovering and realigning after years of pandemic-related disruption, supply chain shifts and changing travel preferences. Airlines are increasingly looking to diversify route portfolios with direct long-haul services that connect business centres, emerging tourism markets and diaspora communities.It also reinforces Riyadh’s emergence on the world aviation map, not just as a domestic destination but as part of intercontinental travel flows that link Asia and the Middle East, a corridor of growing economic, cultural and technological exchange. From June 02, 2026, travellers will be able to fly non-stop between Singapore and Riyadh four times a week aboard Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900, marking a strategic return to the Saudi capital after a long hiatus. This move is expected to enhance business ties, expand tourism opportunities and improve global connectivity between Southeast Asia and the Middle East, positioning both cities as pivotal points on a revitalised international travel map.
