Officials including Phillip Jones, RCU, and Gérard Mestrallet, AFALULA arrived on the first direct flight from Europe at AlUla’s Airport last night — The weekly non-stop flight will operate from 30 January to 27 March 2022, as winter season events enter full swing.

Carrying 75 passengers onboard, the SAUDIA inaugural direct flight from Paris touched down in AlUla last night.

The flight departed from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport and arrived at AlUla International Airport at 10:30 pm, after a comfortable 5-hour flight.

Marking the first direct flight from Europe, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was welcomed at Alula Airport by Saudi officials including AlUla Airport Director, Eng. Abdulwahab Bokhari.

Onboard guests on the inaugural flight included officials from SAUDIA, Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Gérard Mestrallet, Executive Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA).

Guests arriving in AlUla will attend the equestrian events as part of the destination’s Winter at Tantora festival including Pierre Durand, ex-Olympic Champion show-jumper.

Timed to coincide with the winter event season in AlUla; the new flight will welcome French visitors to explore the ancient desert city and take part in one of many arts, music, cultural events on offer.