Four Saudi gateways return to Qatar Airways’ network this winter as weekly services will reach to over 155 weekly flights to the Kingdom, representing a more than 10 per cent increase compared to the summer season
1 September 2026
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways is strengthening its operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the resumption of services to four destinations this winter. Flights to Qassim (ELQ) will resume on 25 October 2026, followed by Taif (TIF) on 31 October 2026, Yanbu (YNB) on 2 January 2027, and Tabuk (TUU) on 3 January 2027.
The airline will operate two weekly flights per each route to the four resumed destinations, providing passengers across the Kingdom with greater travel choice, and seamless access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 160 destinations.
As part of its long-term commitment to the Saudi market and to enhancing regional connectivity, Qatar Airways will operate over 155 weekly flights to the Kingdom this winter, representing more than 10 per cent increase in weekly services compared to the summer season.
Over the past 12 months, Qatar Airways has carried more than 2.3 million passengers between the Kingdom and its global network. The airline has also strengthened frequencies across key routes. In June 2026, Qatar Airways increased its Riyadh service from 35 to 49 weekly flights, offering passengers greater flexibility and a wider choice of connections through its award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. This reflects strong demand across the Saudi market for the airline’s award-winning experiences, and 5-star services.
Beyond its expanded operations, passengers on some of the airline’s busiest Saudi routes can benefit from Qatar Airways’ next-generation onboard connectivity. Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam are regularly served by widebody aircraft equipped with Starlink, offering complimentary, high-speed, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi on eligible flights. In July 2026 alone, Qatar Airways operated over 685 Starlink-equipped flights across the three routes.
Qatar Airways flights to Qassim (ELQ)
Starting 25 October 2026, flights will operate every Sunday:
- Doha (DOH) to Qassim (ELQ) – Flight QR1194: Departure 08:15; Arrival 10:00
- Qassim (ELQ) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1195: Departure 11:05; Arrival 12:40
On 30 October 2026, the airline’s additional flight will begin operating every Friday:
- Doha (DOH) to Qassim (ELQ) – Flight QR1194: Departure 09:05; Arrival 10:50
- Qassim (ELQ) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1195: Departure 11:50; Arrival 13:25
Qatar Airways flights to Taif (TIF)
From 31 October 2026, the route will be served every Wednesday and Saturday:
- Doha (DOH) to Taif (TIF) – Flight QR1206: Departure 07:35; Arrival 10:00
- Taif (TIF) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1207: Departure 11:00; Arrival 13:10
Qatar Airways flights to Yanbu (YNB)
As of 2 January 2027, the below schedule will operate every Wednesday and Saturday:
- Doha (DOH) to Yanbu (YNB) – Flight QR1216: Departure 07:30; Arrival 10:15
- Yanbu (YNB) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1217: Departure 11:20; Arrival 13:35
Qatar Airways flights to Tabuk (TUU)
Effective 3 January 2027, flights will depart every Thursday and Sunday:
- Doha (DOH) to Tabuk (TUU) – Flight QR1220: Departure 07:25; Arrival 10:20
- Tabuk (TUU) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR1221: Departure 11:20; Arrival 13:45
With these resumptions, Qatar Airways will expand its network in Saudi Arabia to include Abha (ABH), AlUla (ULH), Qassim (ELQ), Dammam (DMM), Hail (HAS), Jeddah (JED), Madinah (MED), NEOM (NUM – to resume in the second half of 2027), Riyadh (RUH), Tabuk (TUU), Taif (TIF), The Red Sea (RSI), and Yanbu (YNB).
Bookings are now available at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app. New and returning passengers can benefit from their Qatar Airways Privilege Club membership to access in-flight Starlink connectivity, and collect and use Avios for upgrades, shopping and dining at Qatar Duty Free, extra baggage, and more.
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About Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Airline’ title for an unprecedented ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways was previously named the World’s Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.
The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence and has yet again received recognition for ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’. As the leading connector in the region, Qatar Airways has also been lauded with the ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’ title for the 13th time.
Qatar Airways recently received the Platinum performance recognition by Cirium, the leading aviation analytics organisation, for its reliability and operational performance. The recognition is a testament to the airline’s unwavering commitment to providing seamless and proven operations as part of its award-winning passenger experience.
This summer, Qatar Airways is flying to over 160 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. The airport has been recognised as the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the third year in a row by Skytrax. Hamad International Airport has previously been named the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Qatar Airways was the first Airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, based on recognised environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.
For further information, visit qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app.