8 New flights from the Middle East launching this January

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Qatar Airways is expanding services to Saudi

Travellers across the Middle East have more flight options this January, with new routes and increased frequencies expanding both regional and long‑haul connectivity.

Kicking off 2026, airlines including Qatar Airways, Flyadeal and Oman Air are introducing new services linking Saudi’s emerging tourism destinations, such as Hail and Taif, to major regional hubs from Doha and Muscat to Istanbul.

Here are eight new or enhanced routes launching this month.

1 Qatar Airways: Doha to Hail
Qatar Airways will launch direct flights between Doha and Hail in Saudi Arabia from 5 January 2026. The new service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hail becomes the 13th destination in Saudi Arabia served by the carrier. Set amid northern Saudi’s mountains and deserts, Hail is known for its ancient rock art, historic forts and growing appeal as a heritage and adventure destination. flights-to-hail-saudi-arabia

2 Qatar Airways: Doha-Jeddah

Also, from 5 January, the airline will increase frequencies on the popular Doha-Jeddah and Doha-Riyadh routes from six to seven daily flights. Qatar Airways now serves every major region of Saudi, operating more than 150 weekly flights across its extensive network. flights-saudi-arabia

Hail region in Saudi Arabia

3 Flyadeal: Madinah to Istanbul
From 1 January 2026, Saudi low-cost carrier Flyadeal will begin operations from Madinah, establishing the Holy City as its fourth base. The airline will launch new routes from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport to five destinations, including international flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and domestic services to Jazan, Tabuk, Al Hofuf and Abha.

Qatar Airways to launch 3 weekly flights to Hail, Saudi Arabia

Qatar Airways to extend winter schedule with 13 more weekly flights

4 Qatar Airways: Doha-Shanghai

Starting 1 January 2026, Qatar Airways’ services between Doha and Shanghai will expand from seven to 10 weekly, supporting growing inbound and outbound demand from China. The added Shanghai frequencies will also strengthen connectivity between Asia and key destinations including Algiers, São Paulo and Warsaw. Qatar-airways-to-extend-winter-schedule

Shanghai in China

5 Oman Air: Muscat–Taif

Oman Air will launch non-stop flights between Muscat and Taif, adding direct access from the Omani capital to Saudi Arabia’s mountain “summer capital” and gateway to Mecca. Starting 31 January, flights will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Muscat International Airport (MCT) at 13:30 and arriving in Taif International Airport (TIF) at 15:50. The return leg will leave TIF at 16:40 and land back in MCT at 20:35.

6 SalamAir: Muscat–Port Sudan

SalamAir will start direct Muscat–Port Sudan flights on 27 January 2026, becoming the first GCC carrier to offer a nonstop service to Port Sudan in northeast Africa. Operating twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, flights depart Muscat International Airport (MCT) at 06:40, arriving in Port Sudan (PZU) at 08:30. Return flights leave PZU at 09:20, arriving in MCT at 14:30. A third weekly flight will be added from 19 February on Sundays.

taif mountains saudi shutterstock 2453112841

Taif is dubbed Saudi Arabia's "summer capital"

7 Flyadeal: Madinah–Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen

Starting 1 January 2026, Flyadeal starts flights from Madinah, its new base in Saudi, to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, marking the second international destination from Madinah after Cairo. Operating multiple times a week with a late‑morning departure from Madinah (around 09:50, arriving Istanbul mid‑afternoon) and a same‑day afternoon return to Madinah. This month too, the airline launches four domestic links from Madinah to Jazan, Tabuk, Al Hofuf and Abha

8 Qatar Airways: Doha–Singapore

While not a new flight or increased capacity, Qatar Airways’ deployment of an Airbus A380 on its daily Doha–Singapore route increases capacity by around 120–190 extra seats per flight.

To keep up to date on the latest regional flights, visit and bookmark Connecting Travel’s aviation news at connectingtravel.com/news/aviation