Getting to Japan keeps becoming easier, and that's good news for travelers planning their next adventure. Saudia has announced it will launch direct flights between Riyadh and Tokyo's Narita Airport from November 2026, adding another international connection that makes visiting Japan more accessible from the Middle East and beyond.
The new service will operate three times a week from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, giving travelers another convenient option to reach Japan without needing to transit through other major Asian hubs.
While the route is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and business ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, it also has wider benefits for inbound tourism. Every new direct international connection helps expand Japan's global reach, making it easier for more visitors to include the country in their travel plans and opening the door to new markets.
For travelers from Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Riyadh could also become another useful transfer point on the way to Japan as Saudia continues to expand its international network. The airline currently flies to more than 100 destinations across four continents and is in the middle of a major fleet expansion that will see more than 100 additional aircraft join its fleet in the coming years.
The announcement also reflects a broader trend of increasing air connectivity to Japan. As international travel continues to recover and demand for Japan remains strong, airlines are adding new routes and increasing capacity to meet growing interest from overseas visitors.
For Japan's tourism industry, more direct flights mean more opportunities for travelers to discover everything from Tokyo's world-famous attractions to lesser-known regional destinations. Improved air links also make multi-country itineraries across Asia and the Middle East easier to plan, giving visitors greater flexibility when building their dream trip.
