Scoot (TR, Singapore Changi) will assume parent carrier Singapore Airlines' Singapore Changi-Jeddah International service with effect from May next year, government approvals notwithstanding.

In a statement, Singapore Airlines said the transfer of operations to its longhaul budget subsidiary would result in an increase in capacity to and from the Saudi Arabian city and would better optimise the utilisation of the SIA Group’s resources.

"We have long wanted to operate to Saudi Arabia. Jeddah, its second largest city, is both a commercial centre as well as the principal gateway for religious pilgrimages to nearby Mecca. With thrice-weekly non-stop services, Scoot looks forward to improving connectivity between Singapore and this important world city,” Scoot CEO, Campbell Wilson, said.

Singapore Airlines currently operates three flights per week to Jeddah via Dubai International with 285-seat A330-300s. Subject to regulatory approvals, Scoot will operate a 3x weekly direct service using 335-seat B787-8s, with plans to progressively increase the frequency as and when demand permits.