RIYADH — Saudi Arabian Airlines started on Wednesday operating its first direct flights to the Greek capital Athens from Riyadh. There will be four weekly scheduled direct flights in each direction.

Saleh Al-Jasser, director general of Saudia, Ioannis Taghis, Greek ambassador to the Kingdom, and senior officials attended the take-off ceremony at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The flight took four hours to arrive at Athens at 1:35 p.m. after its departure from Riyadh at 9.35 a.m. At the Athens International Airport, the landing of the first Saudia flight was celebrated in the presence of Greek and Saudi officials and diplomats.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Airlines will open its direct scheduled flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Marrakesh on Thursday. This will be Saudia’s second new foreign destinations in 2019 and its second stop in Morocco after Casablanca. There will be three flights in one direction per week. — SG