Image generated with Ai
flyadeal, Wizz Air Malta and more airlines turbocharge new Milan and Rome flights, supercharging European travel to Saudi Arabia, as stronger links make journeys easier, faster and more accessible.
flyadeal, Wizz Air Malta and more airlines are turbocharging new Milan and Rome flights, supercharging European travel to Saudi Arabia. First, flyadeal is strengthening low-cost connectivity through Milan Bergamo. Meanwhile, Wizz Air Malta is adding new links to Milan and Rome, creating more choice for European travellers. Saudia also maintains established connections between Jeddah and Italy. Together, these flights are reshaping travel between Europe and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the expanded network can support tourism, business, family visits and religious journeys. As competition grows, travellers gain more options, while Saudi Arabia gains stronger links with two of Europe’s most important tourism markets.
Jeddah is increasingly becoming a stronger gateway between Saudi Arabia and Italy, with direct services linking the Saudi city to Milan Malpensa, Milan Bergamo and Rome Fiumicino. Saudia provides the established full-service connectivity, flyadeal brings a new low-cost Bergamo option, while Wizz Air Malta is adding further budget capacity to Milan and Rome later in 2026.
The growing number of direct flights between Jeddah and Italy reflects rising demand for two-way travel and tourism, as Saudi Arabia continues developing international connectivity and Italian destinations attract visitors for leisure, culture, shopping, business and religious journeys. Current published schedules show direct Jeddah services to Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino, while flyadeal has added Milan Bergamo as its first Italian destination, creating three distinct Italian gateways from Jeddah.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The three airports serve different markets rather than simply duplicating one another, because Malpensa is positioned as Milan’s major international gateway, Bergamo provides a strong low-cost alternative with convenient access to northern Italy, and Rome Fiumicino serves Italy’s capital and one of Europe’s most important cultural and religious tourism centres. Together, these routes give passengers more flexibility while strengthening the role of Jeddah as a connecting point between the Kingdom, Europe and wider international travel markets.
Saudia remains the most established airline linking Jeddah with Italy, with direct services to Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino, giving the national carrier an important role in supporting business, leisure, family and religious travel between Saudi Arabia and Italy. Current schedule data shows Saudia operating approximately daily Jeddah–Milan Malpensa services, while its Jeddah–Rome operation is listed at six flights per week, although schedules can change according to season and operational planning.
The airline’s position is significant because Saudia is not simply competing for leisure passengers; its network also supports wider Saudi tourism objectives and international visitor flows into the Kingdom. Saudia says its global network covers more than 100 destinations across four continents and that it operates more than 550 domestic and international flights each day, illustrating the scale of the carrier’s role in connecting international visitors with Saudi Arabia.
The Jeddah–Milan Malpensa route is particularly relevant for passengers travelling to one of Europe’s strongest commercial and tourism centres, where demand comes from fashion, shopping, business, food, culture and leisure. Current route information records Saudia as a nonstop operator between Jeddah and Milan Malpensa, with the journey taking roughly six hours depending on the operating schedule.
For tourism, Milan provides access to far more than the city centre because travellers can use the metropolitan gateway as a starting point for destinations across Lombardy and northern Italy. Lake Como, the Italian Alps, historic cities and major shopping destinations can all be incorporated into wider itineraries, making the direct Jeddah connection relevant to both short city breaks and longer European travel programmes.
Rome provides a completely different tourism proposition, with its combination of ancient history, architecture, museums, cuisine and religious significance making it one of Italy’s strongest destinations for international visitors. Saudia currently operates direct Jeddah–Rome Fiumicino services, while published schedules show Wizz Air Malta entering the same market from September 2026, increasing the range of airline choices available to passengers.
The Rome route is particularly valuable for cultural and religious tourism, while the connection in the opposite direction gives Italian visitors a direct gateway to Jeddah and onward destinations in Saudi Arabia. This two-way potential supports the broader development of travel between the two countries, rather than treating the route simply as an outbound holiday service from Saudi Arabia.
flyadeal has changed the competitive picture by launching its first Italian operations at Milan Bergamo Airport, with the inaugural Jeddah flight arriving on 1 July 2026. The Saudi low-cost carrier operates the Jeddah–Bergamo service three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using next-generation Airbus A320neo aircraft, making it a particularly relevant addition for price-sensitive leisure and tourism demand.
The route gives passengers a direct alternative to Milan Malpensa while also opening access to Bergamo itself and the wider Lombardy region, which makes it strategically different from simply adding another flight to the Milan metropolitan market. flyadeal’s own booking system has displayed Jeddah–Bergamo one-way economy fares from US$146, or around SAR549, on selected 2026 dates, although the airline warns that displayed fares can change and may no longer be available when passengers book.
Bergamo offers a strong combination of historic attractions and convenient access to northern Italy, allowing visitors to combine an affordable flight with a destination that has its own tourism identity. The city’s historic Città Alta, medieval streets, Piazza Vecchia and Venetian Walls give travellers reasons to stay in Bergamo rather than treating the airport purely as a gateway to Milan.
The airport also creates an attractive base for wider travel across Lombardy, including Milan and the lakes region, giving Saudi visitors the possibility of building multi-destination itineraries. For flyadeal, this is particularly compatible with a low-cost business model because travellers can choose a lower base fare and then construct their wider trip around their individual tourism priorities.
Wizz Air Malta is also becoming part of the Jeddah–Italy story, with published schedules showing planned direct services to both Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino beginning in September 2026. The Jeddah–Milan schedule lists Wizz Air Malta from 6 September, while the Jeddah–Rome schedule lists its service from 7 September, adding a new low-cost competitor alongside Saudia.
The arrival of Wizz Air Malta is important because the airline’s broader strategy is built around making air travel more affordable and expanding access across Europe, while its Italian operations already include substantial activity from Milan and Rome. Wizz Air says its 2026 ambition remains centred on making flying more accessible and strengthening connectivity across its network, which fits the potential of the Jeddah routes for price-conscious passengers.
The additional capacity could increase competition on two of the most important Italian markets from Jeddah, particularly for passengers who prioritise fare levels over full-service amenities. Milan and Rome are already powerful tourism destinations, so another low-cost operator gives consumers a broader range of departure times, fares and airline products when planning their travel.
However, travellers should distinguish between a route being listed in a future schedule and an operation actually flying on a particular date, because airline schedules can change because of operational, regulatory or market conditions. For this reason, passengers should check the airline’s booking system before finalising international travel, especially when booking accommodation, rail tickets or other non-refundable arrangements.
Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal is expanding its European network with a new nonstop connection between Jeddah and Milan Bergamo, giving travellers a fresh budget-friendly option for reaching northern Italy. The seasonal route strengthens Saudi Arabia’s international aviation links while opening another direct pathway between the Kingdom and one of Europe’s most popular tourism markets.
The new service connects Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) with Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), creating direct access to Bergamo, Milan and the wider Lombardy region.
The route is operated three times a week using an Airbus A320, with the flight taking roughly five and a half hours. The service is particularly significant for travellers who want to avoid connections through major European or Middle Eastern hubs.
For flyadeal, the route also reflects the airline’s broader international expansion as it moves beyond its established Saudi domestic and regional network.
flyadeal is a Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier and part of Saudia Group. Its business model focuses on competitive base fares and a streamlined economy-class travel experience.
The airline’s expanding Airbus fleet is supporting its ambitions to develop more international routes, while new European services are helping connect Saudi travellers directly with major leisure destinations.
The Jeddah–Bergamo service is expected to appeal strongly to leisure travellers, families, visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic, price-conscious business travellers and passengers travelling between Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah also serves as an important gateway for religious travellers continuing to Makkah and Madinah, giving the connection potential relevance beyond conventional tourism.
For Italian and European visitors, meanwhile, the service provides direct access to Jeddah and Saudi Arabia without requiring a connecting flight.
Bergamo provides more than an airport stop. Its historic Città Alta, Piazza Vecchia, Venetian Walls and medieval architecture make the city an attractive short-break destination.
Travellers can also continue towards Milan, one of Europe’s leading fashion, shopping, cultural and business centres. The location further provides access to northern Italian destinations, including the Lake Como and Lake Garda regions.
The new connection strengthens two-way tourism opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Italy while giving travellers greater choice in how they reach Europe.
With an A320, three weekly flights and competitive low-cost positioning, flyadeal’s Jeddah–Milan Bergamo route adds another important link to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding international aviation network.
The most important development is that Jeddah’s Italian connectivity is becoming more diversified, with three airport markets serving different traveller requirements. Milan Malpensa focuses on the established Milan market, Bergamo adds a low-cost gateway into northern Italy, and Rome provides direct access to the capital’s enormous cultural, historical and religious tourism appeal.
This diversification can support both inbound and outbound travel, because Italian visitors can reach Saudi Arabia directly while Saudi residents gain additional options for European holidays, shopping trips, business journeys and family visits. Greater airline competition can also encourage more flexible pricing and scheduling, potentially helping tourism businesses, hotels, airports and attractions on both sides of the route.
Jeddah’s growing Italian network fits into a broader pattern in which Saudi airports are developing stronger links with international leisure markets while Saudi airlines expand their international footprints. Saudia’s large global network, flyadeal’s low-cost international expansion and Wizz Air Malta’s planned additional capacity together demonstrate how different airline business models can serve different layers of the same travel market.
For tourism, the result is a more varied choice of Italian destinations and airlines, rather than dependence on one carrier or one airport. The development is therefore important not only for passengers but also for destination marketing organisations, hotels, tour operators, airports and other businesses that depend on reliable international travel connectivity.
“Jeddah’s expanding connectivity with Italy is a positive development for both travel and tourism, because it gives passengers more choice while creating stronger links between two highly attractive markets. The arrival of flyadeal in Bergamo is especially interesting because it introduces a low-cost option that can encourage more leisure travellers to explore northern Italy, while Saudia continues to provide an established full-service connection through Milan and Rome. Wizz Air Malta’s planned services add another competitive layer, potentially making direct travel more accessible. Together, these airlines can support tourism growth, stimulate visitor flows and create a stronger foundation for future connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Italy.” — Vedika Keshan, Associate Editor, Travel And Tour World
The current network can be understood through three main airport markets: Milan Malpensa, Milan Bergamo and Rome Fiumicino, with the services distributed among Saudia, flyadeal and Wizz Air Malta according to the published 2026 schedules. Milan Malpensa is served by Saudia and Wizz Air Malta, Milan Bergamo is served by flyadeal, and Rome Fiumicino is served by Saudia and Wizz Air Malta, creating a broader competitive landscape for Saudi–Italian travel.
The distinction is important for travellers because the airport chosen can shape the entire holiday experience, from transfer times and onward transport to the type of destination being visited. A passenger planning a luxury shopping trip may prefer Milan Malpensa, a budget northern Italy itinerary may favour Bergamo, while a cultural or religious tourism journey may make Rome the stronger choice.
Jeddah has direct connectivity with three Italian airport markets: Milan Malpensa, Milan Bergamo and Rome Fiumicino under the published 2026 schedules. These routes are served by different airlines and therefore offer different fare structures and passenger experiences.
flyadeal operates the direct Jeddah–Milan Bergamo service, launched in July 2026 with three weekly flights using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The service operates on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays according to the published launch schedule.
Saudia and Wizz Air Malta are listed as nonstop operators between Jeddah and Milan Malpensa, with Wizz Air Malta’s service scheduled to begin in September 2026. Saudia is already operating the route, according to current schedule data.
Saudia and Wizz Air Malta are listed on the Jeddah–Rome Fiumicino route, with Wizz Air Malta’s service scheduled to begin in September 2026. Current published information shows Saudia operating six weekly flights on the route.
There is no single answer because each gateway serves a different type of tourism. Rome is strongest for heritage and cultural travel, Milan is particularly attractive for shopping, fashion and business, while Bergamo combines historic tourism with convenient access to Milan and northern Italy.
Yes. flyadeal is a Saudi low-cost carrier, and its current booking page has advertised selected one-way economy fares from US$146, although fares are dynamic and can change. Passengers should therefore treat advertised prices as indicative rather than guaranteed.
Jeddah provides a major gateway into Saudi Arabia, making direct connectivity valuable for Italian leisure, business, family and religious travel. At the same time, stronger links allow Saudi travellers to reach Italy more easily, supporting two-way tourism and strengthening the wider Saudi–Italian aviation market.
The key change is diversification: passengers now have access to Milan through both Malpensa and Bergamo, as well as Rome, with a mixture of full-service and low-cost airline options. That combination gives the market greater choice and creates additional opportunities for future travel and tourism growth.
The cause is growing demand for convenient, affordable and direct European travel to Saudi Arabia, supported by the Kingdom’s expanding tourism ambitions. The answer is stronger air connectivity, with flyadeal, Wizz Air Malta and more carriers developing new Milan and Rome flights alongside established services. The reason is that Milan and Rome serve powerful tourism, business and cultural markets, while Jeddah provides an important gateway into Saudi Arabia. Consequently, additional flights can make journeys easier and increase passenger choice. Furthermore, stronger competition could stimulate tourism, encourage European visitors to discover Saudi destinations, support businesses and deepen long-term travel links between both regions.
The expansion of flyadeal, Wizz Air Malta and more airline services is turbocharging Milan and Rome flights, while supercharging European travel to Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, the growing network gives travellers more direct choices and strengthens connections between major European cities and Jeddah. Milan brings fashion, shopping, business and northern Italian tourism, while Rome offers heritage, culture and religious attractions. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an increasingly accessible tourism destination for European visitors. As new flights enter the market, airlines can capture fresh demand, airports can expand connectivity and travellers can benefit from greater choice, convenience and potentially sharper fares.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026