Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia has signed a landmark five-year strategic partnership with Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City, cementing its role as the official premier airline partner for two of the kingdom’s most ambitious entertainment destinations. The agreement positions Saudia at the heart of the kingdom’s push to transform itself into a global tourism powerhouse under Vision 2030.
A Partnership Built for Global Reach
Under the terms of the deal, Saudia will develop tailored travel packages designed to attract international visitors to Qiddiya City, located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Riyadh in the Tuwaiq Mountains. The packages will combine flights, accommodation, and ticket access to both Six Flags Qiddiya City and the soon-to-open Aquarabia water park, offering a seamless travel experience for tourists from around the world.
The partnership also includes branded aircraft across Saudia’s extensive global network, ensuring visibility for Qiddiya City on routes spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The airline’s international footprint makes it a natural conduit for channeling tourists toward the kingdom’s rapidly expanding entertainment sector.
Qiddiya City: A New Chapter in Saudi Entertainment
Six Flags Qiddiya City, which opened on December 31, 2025, is the first Six Flags theme park built outside North America. Spanning 320,000 square meters, it features 28 world-class rides across six immersive lands, including several record-breaking roller coasters that have already drawn attention from thrill-seekers worldwide.
Adding to the momentum, Aquarabia is set to open in March 2026. The massive water park will feature 22 water rides and 91 private cabanas, making it one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East. Together, the two parks form the entertainment core of Qiddiya City, a mega-project backed by the Public Investment Fund that ultimately envisions 12 theme parks, 43 sports facilities, and a host of cultural venues.
Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambitions
The Saudia partnership reflects a broader strategic calculus. Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious target of attracting 150 million visits annually by 2030, and entertainment-driven tourism is central to that goal. By linking its national airline directly to its flagship entertainment destination, the kingdom is creating an integrated tourism ecosystem that spans the journey from booking a flight to riding a roller coaster.
For Saudia, the deal reinforces its position as more than just a carrier. The airline has been steadily expanding its role as a tourism enabler, aligning its operations with the kingdom’s economic diversification strategy. The partnership with Six Flags and Aquarabia is its most visible move yet in that direction, signaling that Saudi Arabia’s entertainment revolution is not a distant aspiration but an operational reality.
