Saudi Arabia’s national airline is resuming flights to Canada after a five-year diplomatic dispute.
Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, will fly three times a week between Jeddah and Toronto’s Pearson International Airport starting December 2.
Transport Canada says it is the first time there has been direct service between the two countries since 2018, when Saudi Arabia suspended flights in protest at Canada’s loud condemnation of its human rights record.
This year, Global Affairs Canada called on the country to “immediately release” imprisoned women’s rights and democracy activists.
In response, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and expelled Canada’s envoy. At the same time, Saudi Arabia sought to reduce the number of its citizens studying in Canada.
The two countries agreed in May to welcome new ambassadors to each other’s capitals.
Saudi Arabia is trying to expand its tourism economy after years of largely restricting visas to people traveling for religious or business reasons.
The Canadian Press has contacted its embassy in Ottawa for comment on the resumed flights.
The dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia came just months before the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.
Saudi Arabia has rejected US intelligence findings that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved his assassination.
Before the diplomatic row, the Liberal government temporarily suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid reports the country’s Canadian-made light armored vehicles were used in a bloody conflict in Yemen.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
READ MORE: Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Dispute with Canada: An Explanation
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