Key Takeaways
• First direct Jeddah-Tehran flight since 2015 departed May 18, 2025, operated by Flynas for Hajj pilgrims only.
• Approximately 224-225 round-trip flights planned, expected to transport 35,000-37,000 Iranian pilgrims by July 1.
• Resumed flights follow a March 2023 diplomatic agreement, restoring ties and opening broader cooperation possibilities.
After nearly ten years of strained relations and closed borders, Saudi Arabian airlines are beginning to reconnect with Iran through air travel. The first direct flight from Jeddah to Tehran took place on May 18, 2025, marking a key turning point for both countries. This change comes as a result of a new agreement and warmer ties between the two sides, and is focused on making it easier for Iranian pilgrims to travel for the Hajj pilgrimage. As more flights are set to be added, this news brings hope for greater cooperation and a new chapter in the region’s complex history.
A Historic Flight Marks Change
The first Saudi Arabian airline to take this step was Flynas, a budget carrier. The flight left Jeddah and landed at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, becoming the first direct connection between the two cities since 2015. For almost a decade, there had been no direct air travel between Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and Iran 🇮🇷. That break started when both countries cut diplomatic ties in 2016.
The main reason for these flights is to carry Iranian pilgrims to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place each year and draws Muslims from all over the world. Hajj is one of the most important events in Islam. The flights are not meant for regular travelers or businesspeople at this time. Instead, they are only available to those who are approved for the Hajj journey.
Breaking Down the Numbers
These new operations are planned on a large scale, showing both the trust being built and the need for better travel choices. Flynas is scheduled to operate about 224 or 225 round-trip flights by July 1. This should help about 35,000 to 37,000 Iranian pilgrims get from Iran 🇮🇷—mainly from Tehran and Mashhad—to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 for the event.
For years, Iranians used charter flights and had to deal with complicated travel plans. Now, the direct flights make things simpler and less stressful. This is a big relief, especially for older pilgrims who often have difficulty with long and uncertain travel times.
The Bigger Picture: Improving Diplomatic Relations
This new travel arrangement is about much more than just airplanes taking off and landing. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and Iran 🇮🇷 agreed to restore diplomatic ties. China helped bring the two sides together. This agreement led to embassies being reopened and new conversations between the countries’ leaders.
Since then, there have been meetings at high levels—including between military officials—and both sides have shown they want to improve stability and work together more. These steps suggest that both Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and Iran 🇮🇷 see the benefits of cooperation, not just for themselves, but for the entire region.
A source quoted in several reports described this change perfectly: “The renewed flight corridor is not only about travel—it reflects the resurgence of regional dialogue and cooperation… potentially reshaping alliances and easing tensions in the wider Middle East.” These words show how something as simple as airline travel can have a big impact on politics, security, and even the hopes of ordinary people.
What’s Next for Air Travel Between the Two Countries?
Right now, the flights from Saudi Arabian airlines are only for the Hajj pilgrimage. There are no regular, commercial flights between Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and Iran 🇮🇷—at least, not yet. But with the success of these Hajj operations, and if relations continue to improve, many experts believe more routes may follow.
There are a few key points to keep in mind:
– More Saudi airlines are expected to start offering similar flights.
– Having direct flights makes travel safer and easier for pilgrims.
– This cooperation could lead to expanding flight services for more people, such as students, business travelers, and families who have been separated by the political rift.
Aviation cooperation opens up doors for more conversations, trade, and happier families. If airlines can trust each other and work together, it can help make the recent diplomatic gains stronger and more lasting.
Why Did Flights Stop for So Long?
The reason for the break in air links goes back to deep disagreements between the two countries. Although both play key roles in the Muslim world, they have often been on opposite sides of major issues. The closure of embassies in 2016 led to a near-total stop in travel, trade, and official visits. That meant no direct flights, which caused extra costs and time for anyone who wanted to travel between the two countries.
Charter services did their best to help. But without regular Saudi Arabian airlines operating between Tehran and Saudi cities, thousands of Iranian pilgrims faced real hardships each year.
How the Hajj Pilgrimage Fits into the Story
For Muslims, making a trip to Mecca is a life-changing event. During Hajj, millions of people from across the globe join together for a series of religious rites. In the past, safe and easy flights between Islamic countries have been key to making Hajj accessible.
Because of the new aviation agreements, Iranian pilgrims will no longer have to rely on roundabout routes. Instead, they can now fly directly from Tehran or Mashhad to Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, just as other Muslim pilgrims already do. This improves the experience for thousands of people and shows good will on the part of both governments.
According to official reports, the first flights are dedicated only to the Hajj pilgrimage, not for general tourism or business. If all goes smoothly, this could lay the groundwork for broader access in the months and years to come.
List: Key Developments at a Glance
- First resumed flight: May 18, 2025, operated by Flynas, from Jeddah to Tehran.
- Purpose: Solely for Hajj pilgrimage—these flights do not currently serve commercial or other non-religious travelers.
- Scope: About 224–225 round trips planned, carrying 35,000–37,000 Iranian pilgrims.
- Routes: Initial flights from Tehran, with plans to include Mashhad.
- Broader context: These flights are part of a diplomatic effort started after March 2023, when China helped both sides resume talks.
- Future trends: If things keep improving, more Saudi Arabian airlines and possibly regular commercial flights may follow.
These points highlight why so many observers see this as a “template for peace”—a practical step that builds trust and shows respect for the religious rights of both countries’ citizens.
The Role of Airlines Like Flynas
Flynas, being the first Saudi carrier to resume flights to Tehran, is getting a lot of attention. The airline is a well-known budget carrier that serves many routes in the region. By taking on this role, Flynas shows both flexibility and the will to work within government agreements.
There are signs that Flynas could soon be joined by other Saudi Arabian airlines, who may also want to benefit from new demand and help meet the needs of pilgrims and, eventually, other travelers. This could lead to more flights, better prices, and a larger network in the future.
What Stakeholders Stand to Gain
- Iranian pilgrims: Easier, faster, and often cheaper access to Hajj.
- Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦: Can show its openness and growing role as the host of the largest religious gathering in the world.
- Airlines: New business opportunities, closer regional cooperation, and building trust.
- The region: Each new step helps reduce tension and can support economic growth.
For religious travelers, the new flights are a clear promise that they will not be left behind or forced to take longer, more costly paths.
Challenges and Considerations
Of course, not everything will be simple. Some challenges remain:
– Political ups and downs could still put a stop to further cooperation.
– Strategic disagreements, such as those involving other countries in the region, might get in the way.
– Safety concerns, flight permissions, and airport readiness will all need continuous attention and careful planning.
However, both Iran 🇮🇷 and Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 know that making things easier for the Hajj pilgrimage is popular with citizens. Each side seems to want to keep the progress going.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just a Hajj Story
When you see Saudi Arabian airlines landing in Tehran again, it is about more than transport. It is a sign of better relations and a more peaceful vision for the future. “Direct flights” might not sound exciting, but for tens of thousands of families—and for the future of Middle Eastern cooperation—it means a great deal.
If more Saudi Arabian airlines, including big names like Saudia, eventually start flying to Iran 🇮🇷, and if regular, year-round flights are restored, it could change how people do business, learn, and visit family in the region. For those interested in keeping up with these changes or looking for the most up-to-date travel rules and procedures, checking resources like the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation is recommended for travelers and stakeholders.
Diplomatic and Economic Impact
This story is not just about flights or religion. It is also about how small practical steps can help rebuild friendships after years of tension. Easier travel can support new economic projects, more student exchanges, and even simpler trade. It provides hope for more open borders and friendlier ties.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this resumption of flights for the Hajj pilgrimage highlights how quick changes are possible if leadership on both sides sees common ground. It also sets a model for how other countries with strained ties might begin to cooperate through real-world steps that help ordinary people.
Conclusion: A Milestone for Travel and Peace
To sum up, the return of Saudi Arabian airlines to Iranian skies for the Hajj pilgrimage is a concrete step forward for both countries and the entire region. While only religious travelers can take these flights for now, the move points to bigger possibilities. If the diplomatic thaw stays on track, the region may soon see regular commercial flights, more partnerships, and warmer relations shaping a new era.
Pilgrims, businesspeople, and families should watch closely—these developments could mean faster, easier, and friendlier travel in the future. What started as airline flights for the Hajj pilgrimage might grow into many more bridges between neighbors who are finally ready to turn the page.
Learn Today
Hajj → An annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, considered one of Islam’s five pillars and mandatory for all able Muslims.
Diplomatic Ties → Formal relationships between countries, usually involving embassies, consulates, and cooperation or dialogue on political, economic, or security matters.
Charter Flights → Non-scheduled flights arranged for specific groups or occasions, often outside regular airline routes or public tickets.
Pilgrims → People who journey to a sacred place for religious reasons, such as Muslims traveling to Mecca for Hajj.
Flynas → A Saudi Arabian budget airline that operated the first renewed direct flight between Jeddah and Tehran in May 2025.
This Article in a Nutshell
Saudi Arabian airlines have resumed direct flights to Iran after a decade, starting May 18, 2025, exclusively for Hajj pilgrims. About 224 round-trips are planned, carrying up to 37,000 Iranians. This marks improving Saudi-Iran ties and may lead to broader flight options, symbolizing a critical step toward regional cooperation and peace.
— By VisaVerge.com
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