Lufthansa will restart nonstop flights between Munich and Riyadh in October 2025, marking a significant move that goes beyond expanding air travel. This new route, scheduled three times a week with the efficient A350-900 aircraft, highlights deepening economic and geopolitical ties between Germany and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The connection comes as both countries pursue major transformations—Germany in its energy and industrial sectors, and Saudi Arabia in its shift towards tourism, trade, and sustainable energy.
Lufthansa’s decision strengthens links to Munich, Europe’s busiest aviation hub, and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global tourism and logistics center.
Beyond passenger travel, the Munich-Riyadh route will boost trade. Saudi Arabia’s air cargo capacity is expected to reach 4.5 million tonnes per year by 2030, according to the Associated Press, driven by e-commerce and partnerships with Riyadh Air and Saudia Cargo. The route also opens European access to Saudi Arabia’s $139.4 billion trade relationship with China, positioning the Kingdom as a logistics hub at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
In general, Germany’s partnership with Saudi Arabia has produced trade agreements worth billions, including joint efforts in hydrogen technology and renewable energy. The $110 billion Jafurah green hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Associated Press, is a pivotal example, fitting Germany’s strategy to secure clean energy sources from the Gulf.
