A Pilgrimage to Mecca Is No Longer a Dream   Scoot Launches Flights to Saudi Arabia’s Second-Largest City in May

▲ Scoot plans to launch the Singapore–Jeddah route starting in May. (Photo provided by Scoot)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Taipei

Starting May 1, 2016, Scoot will take over the route from its parent company, Singapore Airlines, to launch flights between Singapore and Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia. Taiwanese travelers can transit via Singapore to reach their destination.

Scoot stated that Jeddah is its first route to the Middle East and also a key gateway to the holy city of Mecca. The flight duration from Singapore to Jeddah is approximately nine hours. By connecting with the transportation networks of Singapore and Saudi Arabia, the new route will directly benefit travelers interested in exploring Middle Eastern culture as well as Muslim pilgrims. It also offers Taiwanese travelers an opportunity to fulfill their dream of visiting the Middle East.

In addition to the Jeddah route, Scoot also revealed that it is actively applying for new routes departing from Taiwan, with an official announcement expected in April. In 2016, aside from its existing promotional programs, Scoot will also launch ticket sales campaigns in March, May, and July, targeting themes such as Thailand’s Songkran Festival in April, summer activities in Singapore, and autumn foliage tours in South Korea during winter, making travel more convenient for passengers.

▲ Steven Greenway, Scoot’s Director of Commercial (Photo by reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

Steven Greenway, Scoot’s Director of Commercial, also mentioned that Japan is a favorite travel destination for Taiwanese, with over 10 airlines and low-cost carriers currently operating flights between Taiwan and Japan. Scoot is currently the only low-cost airline using the 787 aircraft on routes to Japan, which can accommodate up to 375 passengers, making it suitable for corporate groups organizing conferences, events, and incentive travel. An Australian himself, Steven Greenway also recommended hometown attractions such as Byron Bay and Noosa Heads, which he believes are well worth a visit by Taiwanese travelers.