Passengers can take direct flights between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh from Oct 28, the special administrative region’s flag-carrier Cathay Pacific has announced.

A memorandum of understanding reinstating the no-transfer air route was signed in Hong Kong on Thursday morning by the airline and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, a body under the kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Ronald Lam Siu-por, chief executive officer of Cathay Group, said Riyadh is the capital and financial center of Saudi Arabia and the launch of direct flights will contribute to business, trade and tourism between China and Saudi Arabia.

Lam said that Cathay’s passenger flight capacity has returned to 80 percent of its pre-COVID level, with a full recovery expected in the first quarter of next year.

In 2022, China and Saudi Arabia signed an implementation plan to ensure synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a government program launched by the kingdom to increase economic diversification

He also noted the airline now operates routes connecting 80 destinations worldwide, including over 20 located in economies engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative — a global infrastructure collaboration strategy initiated by China in 2013. Lam said Cathay will keep supporting the initiative in regard to air transportation.

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In 2022, China and Saudi Arabia signed an implementation plan to ensure synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a government program launched by the kingdom to increase economic diversification.

Majid Khan, CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, believes that Hong Kong can be a great partner of Saudi Arabia because of the city’s international status and connection to the Chinese mainland.

He said that Saudi Arabia is investing $800 billion to bolster its tourism and aviation industries under Vision 2030, a goal of which is to draw 70 million international tourists by the end of the decade.

Khan added that he hopes the launch of direct flights will help travelers explore more cities in Saudi Arabia, indirectly enhancing the connectivity of 29 airports outside the capital.

At the same event, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s visit to Saudi Arabia last year has further strengthened cooperation between the two places.

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Noting Saudi Arabia as Hong Kong’s long-term aviation partner, Lam said the reinstatement of the direct flights, which were dropped in 2017, marks another significant milestone for the link. He encouraged both sides to step up publicity to attract more visitors traveling between Hong Kong and Riyadh for tourism and business.

The flight resumption is part of a broader effort by cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to explore business opportunities in Middle East.

In May, a delegation made up of Hong Kong legal and business leaders led by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting Kwok visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to share Hong Kong’s expertise in law and business.

A Shenzhen delegation including government officials from the city’s Bao’an and Nanshan districts, as well as the Qianhai Authority, also visited Saudi Arabia and UAE recently to promote the city’s industrial attributes and business policies.

Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport opened regular no-transfer passenger and freight routes with Riyadh from June 3 and March 16, respectively.