Saudia is relaunching flights between Manchester and Jeddah in December after a gap of almost two years.
The Saudi Arabian flag carrier began operating the route in 2014 and it had grown to become one of Manchester airport’s most important links to the Middle East prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than 97,000 passengers used the only direct route to Saudi Arabia offered by a UK airport outside London in 2019.
The first flight is set to return on December 15 from the recently reopened Terminal Two.
The service will run three times a week using Boeing-787 Dreamliner aircraft, with the frequency of flights then subject to review dependent on demand.
Manchester airport managing director Karen Smart said: “The return of Saudia is wonderful news and demonstrates the renewed confidence amongst passengers and airlines as we begin to emerge from the pandemic.
“This is a route that is hugely important to communities across the north, given it is the only direct service to Saudi Arabia outside London.
“It also has substantial economic benefits for our region, given the ever-growing trade and investment partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
“We hope to see this service becoming a permanent fixture in 2022.”