From the Red Sea to Syria: Qatar, Saudi Coordinated Regional Agenda

Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s cooperation in post-Assad Syria doubles as a long-term bet on regional tourism.

Image: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has signed a partnership agreement with Red Sea International (RSI), a Saudi public joint-stock company, to launch three weekly direct flights from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to RSI, effective October 21. This development aligns with Doha’s broader aviation growth strategy, including the recent completion of Hamad International Airport’s major expansion, which boosted annual capacity to over 65 million passengers. It reinforces Qatar’s ambitions to solidify DOH as a premier global aviation hub while strengthening economic ties with Saudi Arabia and building on recent intra-Gulf integration efforts, such as the July Jahez–Snoonu acquisition, which aims at enhancing logistics and resilience amid regional volatility.

Regional Integration: Saudi Jahez $234 Million Acquisition of Qatari Snoonu