Qatar Airways has announced a major expansion of its services in Saudi Arabia, adding a new route to Hail and increasing frequencies to Jeddah and Riyadh, effective 5 January 2026. The move will see the airline serve 13 cities across the Kingdom with over 150 weekly flights, connecting Saudi travellers to more than 170 destinations worldwide through its Doha hub.
The announcement was made by Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer during his participation at the TOURISE Summit 2025 in Riyadh.
“Our network now spans every major region of the Kingdom, and over the past 12 months, we have connected nearly 2.5 million passengers in Saudi Arabia to our global network. This reflects the trust travelers place in our airline and the excellence of our services across the Saudi market,” Al-Meer said.
New Flights to Hail
Starting 5 January 2026, Qatar Airways will operate three weekly flights to Hail International Airport (HAS):
- DOH ? HAS (Flight QR1228): Mon, Thu, Sat | Departure 14:20; Arrival 16:30
- HAS ? DOH (Flight QR1229): Mon, Thu, Sat | Departure 17:30; Arrival 19:25
Increased Frequencies to Jeddah and Riyadh
Flights to Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH) will increase from six to seven daily flights, meeting growing demand for business, leisure, and religious travel.
Strategic Expansion
This expansion follows a strong year for Qatar Airways in Saudi Arabia, including:
- Resumption of flights to Abha earlier this year
- Launch of services to The Red Sea in October, making Qatar Airways the first international carrier to connect the region to over 170 destinations
The airline’s Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, provides seamless connectivity and has been recognised as the Best Airport in the Middle East (2025) for the 11th consecutive year, and World’s Best Airport in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Privilege Club Benefits
Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can earn Avios points on flights, shopping, and dining at Hamad International Airport and redeem them for travel and lifestyle rewards, including exclusive experiences.
With this latest expansion, Qatar Airways reinforces its long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia while continuing to offer convenient, high-quality travel connections across the globe.