Korean Air has launched flights between Seoul/Incheon and the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah.

The Seoul/Incheon-Riyadh-Jeddah route will be operated with an Airbus 330-200, seating 218 passengers and equipped with Korean Air’s premium seats.

The Seoul/Incheon-Riyadh-Jeddah flights operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

KE961 departs at 21:55 and will arrive in Riyadh at 03:10 the next day.

The flight continues its journey departing from Riyadh at 04:20, arriving Jeddah at 06:15.

From December 3rd 2012 to March 2nd 2013, KE961 will temporarily depart at 21:30 from Seoul/Incheon, arriving Riyadh at 03:10 next day.

On the return, KE962 departs from Jeddah at 11:00 and arrives in Riyadh at 12:35.

The flight departs from Riyadh at 13:55 and arrives Seoul/Incheon at 05:00 next day.

Chang Hoon Chi, president, Korean Air, said, “It is a great pleasure to announce that Korean Air has restarted its service to Saudi Arabia.

“In the 1970s and 1980s, the time known as the ‘Middle East Boom’ years many Korean companies enjoyed excellent commercial links with Saudi Arabia.

“I believe by restarting Korean Air’s service to Saudi Arabia we will contribute to a growing exchange between the two countries and the airline will play the role of ‘messenger’ - introducing Korean Culture to the Middle East.”

Korean Air is recognised as Asia’s Leading First Class Airline by the World Travel Awards.