Qatar Airways Reconnects Doha to Qassim, Taif, Yanbu, and Tabuk as Saudi Winter Operations Surpass 155 Weekly Flights

Qatar Airways is expanding its Saudi Arabian footprint by more than 10 percent for the winter 2026/2027 season, restoring direct scheduled flights from Doha to Qassim, Taif, Yanbu, and Tabuk to operate over 155 weekly services across 13 Kingdom gateways.

Connecting the Arabian Gulf with Regional Saudi Heritage

Bilateral aviation between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reached an unprecedented scale. On September 4, 2026, Qatar Airways unveiled its comprehensive winter schedule, confirming the phased resumption of nonstop scheduled passenger services from Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to four vital regional Saudi cities: Qassim, Taif, Yanbu, and Tabuk.

This strategic service restoration expands the airline's Saudi operations by more than 10 percent compared to the preceding summer season. Total weekly operations across the Kingdom will surpass 155 flights each week, linking a portfolio of 13 Saudi destinations—including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, AlUla, Hail, Madinah, and The Red Sea—with direct flights to NEOM scheduled to follow in the second half of 2027.

Over the trailing 12 months leading up to September 2026, Qatar Airways carried 2.3 million passengers between Saudi Arabia and its global network of more than 160 destinations. By connecting secondary Saudi economic and cultural centers directly with Doha, the airline provides seamless one-stop access to major commercial markets across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.

[Qatar Airways Saudi Arabia Winter Expansion Summary]
• Lead Carrier:            Qatar Airways (Hamad International Airport, Doha)
• Network Scale:           Over 155 weekly flights across 13 Saudi cities
• Seasonal Expansion Rate: Over 10% increase compared to Summer 2026
• Trailing Annual Volume:  2.3 million passengers carried between KSA and global routes
• Reconnected Gateways:    Qassim (ELQ), Taif (TIF), Yanbu (YNB), Tabuk (TUU)
• Future Resumption:       NEOM scheduled for second half of 2027
• Regulatory Framework:    General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) & QCAA

Destination & Airport	Resumption Date	Weekly Frequency	Outbound Schedule (Doha Time)	Return Schedule (Local Time)
Qassim (ELQ)	25 October 2026	Sun (Adds Fri on Oct 30)	QR1194 Dep 08:15 → Arr 10:00	QR1195 Dep 11:05 → Arr 12:40
Taif (TIF)	31 October 2026	Wed, Sat (2x weekly)	QR1206 Dep 07:35 → Arr 10:00	QR1207 Dep 11:00 → Arr 13:10
Yanbu (YNB)	2 January 2027	Wed, Sat (2x weekly)	QR1216 Dep 07:30 → Arr 10:15	QR1217 Dep 11:20 → Arr 13:45
Tabuk (TUU)	3 January 2027	Thu, Sun (2x weekly)	QR1220 Dep 07:25 → Arr 10:20	QR1221 Dep 11:20 → Arr 13:55

Phased Rollout Across Four Distinct Regional Hubs

Each of the four reconnected cities represents a distinct geographic, economic, and tourism pillar within Saudi Arabia:

Qassim (Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport - ELQ)

Launching on 25 October 2026, the service begins with Sunday flights, adding a second frequency on Friday starting 30 October 2026. Known as the agricultural breadbasket of the Arabian Peninsula, Qassim is world-renowned for its vast date palm groves and agricultural commerce, hosting the annual Buraidah Date Festival.

Taif (Taif International Airport - TIF)

Resuming on 31 October 2026, flights will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Perched at an altitude of 1,879 meters in the Sarawat Mountains, Taif serves as the Kingdom's unofficial summer capital, celebrated for its cooler mountain climate, fragrant Damask rose farms, and historic terraced gardens. It also acts as an alternative arrival portal for Umrah pilgrims traveling to Makkah via the Miqat Qarn al-Manazil.

Yanbu (Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport - YNB)

Beginning on 2 January 2027, Yanbu will be served twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Situated along the Red Sea, Yanbu is divided into an advanced industrial complex and the historic port of Yanbu Al-Bahr. Its offshore barrier reefs, including the Seven Sisters, represent world-class diving destinations teeming with hammerhead sharks and untouched coral gardens.

Tabuk (Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport - TUU)

Commencing on 3 January 2027, Tabuk will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. As the capital of northwestern Saudi Arabia, Tabuk serves as the primary gateway to the Kingdom’s mega-developments—including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and AMAALA—while offering access to dramatic sandstone canyons, ancient Nabataean rock inscriptions, and Wadi Al Disah.

Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and GACA Aviation Strategy

The expansion operates directly within the regulatory framework of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Saudi National Aviation Strategy. The national blueprint targets 330 million annual passengers and connectivity to 250 global destinations by 2030, supported by approximately $100 billion in sector investments, including the upcoming King Salman International Airport in Riyadh designed to process up to 120 million travelers.

Having already surpassed its initial target of 100 million annual visitors ahead of schedule, Saudi Arabia is actively pursuing a revised goal of 150 million visitors by 2030. Achieving this ambition requires decentralizing tourism away from primary hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah. Direct regional connections allow international travelers, archaeologists, and eco-tourists to land directly within reach of regional heritage sites.

On the passenger experience front, Qatar Airways has introduced high-speed Starlink satellite internet on routes across the Kingdom. In July 2026 alone, the airline operated over 685 Starlink-equipped flights across its Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam trunk routes, setting a new digital connectivity benchmark for Gulf aviation.

Local Insider Tips for Exploring Saudi Arabia's Reconnected Regions

• Experience the Buraidah Date Market in Qassim: If traveling to Qassim in late summer or autumn, visit the Buraidah Date Market, recognized as the largest date marketplace on Earth. Sample premium varieties like Sukkari (golden, soft, and caramel-sweet) and Saghai, purchasing directly from local farmers at wholesale farm-gate prices.
• Tour Taif's Artisan Rose Distilleries: Visit Taif during the spring harvest or autumn distillation cycles. Tour traditional family-owned rose factories such as Al Gadhi, where copper alembic stills process millions of pink Damask rose petals (Ward Taifi) into rare essential oils, rose water, and natural cosmetics.
• Dive the Untouched Reefs of Yanbu: Yanbu offers diving that rivals Egypt's southern Red Sea without the tourist crowds. Arrange dive charters to the Seven Sisters reef wall or the historic 1970s shipwreck of the Iona. Ensure your PADI or SSI certification is up to date, and book liveaboard boats in advance through local dive centers in Yanbu Al-Bahr.
• Explore Wadi Al Disah from Tabuk: From Tabuk airport, hire a four-wheel-drive vehicle to explore Wadi Al Disah (The Valley of the Palm Trees). Towering 400-meter sandstone bluffs shelter natural freshwater springs and lush vegetation. Travel during morning hours when the canyon walls provide shade and optimal lighting for landscape photography.
• Understand Regional Cultural Etiquette: While Saudi Arabia’s tourist dress code has relaxed significantly, modest attire is respected across conservative regional hubs. Cover shoulders and knees in public spaces, remove footwear before entering traditional majlis seating areas, and observe prayer times (Salah) when local shops and cafes may pause service for 15 to 20 minutes.

Middle East Aviation Outlook: Bilateral Connectivity as an Economic Engine

Qatar Airways' winter 2026 expansion illustrates how strategic aviation networks drive regional economic integration. By restoring high-frequency service to Qassim, Taif, Yanbu, and Tabuk, the carrier not only satisfies strong family visit and corporate business demand—it opens secondary Saudi destinations to international leisure tourism.

As Saudi Arabia continues developing its giga-projects and agricultural cooperatives, direct international air access eliminates domestic transfer delays, unlocks foreign direct investment, and provides travelers with convenient access to the Kingdom's diverse heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which four Saudi cities are returning to the Qatar Airways route network?
Qatar Airways is resuming scheduled passenger flights from Doha to Qassim (ELQ), Taif (TIF), Yanbu (YNB), and Tabuk (TUU).

When do the new flight services commence?
Flights to Qassim begin on 25 October 2026 (adding Friday service on 30 October), Taif on 31 October 2026, Yanbu on 2 January 2027, and Tabuk on 3 January 2027.

How many weekly flights does Qatar Airways operate to Saudi Arabia?
With the winter 2026/2027 expansion, Qatar Airways operates more than 155 weekly flights across 13 Saudi cities.

What is the significance of Tabuk in the airline's expansion?
Tabuk serves as the primary regional aviation gateway to Saudi Arabia's northwestern giga-projects, including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and AMAALA.

Are Starlink Wi-Fi services available on Qatar Airways Saudi flights?
Yes. Qatar Airways operates Starlink-equipped wide-body aircraft across key Saudi routes, having flown more than 685 Starlink-connected flights across the Kingdom in July 2026.

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