Saudi Arabia’s national airline will resume flights to Canada after five years of diplomatic standoff.
Saudia Airlines, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, will operate three weekly flights between Jeddah and Toronto. pearson International airports start from December 2, 2023.
Transport Canada said it will be the first direct flight between the two countries since 2018, when Saudi Arabia suspended flights in protest of loud criticism of Canada’s human rights record.
That year, International Affairs Canada called on the country to “immediately release” detained women’s rights and democracy activists.
In response, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador in Ottawa, expelled Canada’s envoy, and also moved to reduce the number of its nationals studying in Canada.
In May, the two countries agreed to welcome new ambassadors to each other’s capitals.
Saudi Arabia, which has for years largely restricted visas to religious and business travelers, is working to grow its tourism economy.
The Canadian Press has contacted the embassy in Ottawa for comment on the resumption of flights.
The spat between Canada and Saudi Arabia comes just months before Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Turkey.
Saudi Arabia has denied a US intelligence investigation that found Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman authorized the killing.
Before the diplomatic spat, the Liberal government had suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia over reports that Canadian-made light armored vehicles were being used in Yemen’s bloody conflict.
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