Iran and Saudi Arabia are set to commence talks this week on resuming regular nonstop scheduled flights between the two countries.

The nations severed diplomatic ties in early 2016 following an attack on Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Tehran, which was sparked by Riyadh's execution of senior Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Since then, direct air connectivity has been limited, with only occasional flights operated to carry Hajj pilgrims.

However, Iranian state-backed news agency ILNA has reported that discussions are set to take place over restarting scheduled service. “There are no restrictions regarding the launch of direct flights from Tehran to Riyadh, or other cities,” Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Mohammadibakhsh was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“A bilateral working group will start final negotiations next week to have non-Hajj flights between the two countries,” he added. This will enable the year-round travel of pilgrims for Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year.

The restoration of flights would mark another step toward restoring Iran-Saudi Arabia diplomatic ties and comes after China brokered a deal to reestablish relations in March 2023, which saw the two sides agreeing to work toward resolving their disagreements.

Prior to the suspension of regular scheduled flights in January 2016, OAG Schedules Analyser data shows that Saudia was the main operator of nonstop service between Saudi Arabia and Iran during the northern summer 2015 season, connecting a total of 14 airport pairs.

The flights saw O&D traffic reach about 114,000 two-way passengers during the 2015 calendar year, according to Sabre Market Intelligence data. However, the figure dropped to 49,600 in 2016 and fell further to approximately 12,500 two-way passengers in 2019 given the lack of regular direct air service.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has signed an air services agreement Sierra Leone. The bilateral deal aims to establish regulatory frameworks for air transport traffic between the two countries, including the regulation and granting of transport and licensing rights.

Separately, Saudi Arabia has expanded its air service agreement with Italy, increasing the frequency of passenger services from 28 to 60 per week and cargo services from seven to 14 per week.