Riyadh: King Khalid International Airport today welcomed the inaugural flight of British airline Virgin Atlantic, arriving from London Heathrow and carrying the company’s founder, Richard Branson. The new daily route supports Saudi Vision 2030’s ambitious tourism plans and reflects the growing ties between Saudi Arabia and the UK, expecting a rise in air travel.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Minister of Tourism and Saudi Tourism Authority Chairman of the Board of Directors Ahmed Al-Khateeb stated that this marks a step toward establishing Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination, anticipating that more visitors from the UK and around the world will explore the Kingdom’s attractions through this partnership.

President of Virgin Atlantic and founder of Virgin Group, Richard Branson, praised the airline’s arrival in Riyadh, noting the Kingdom’s rapid growth and expressing confidence that customers worldwide will enjoy their flights.