Dubai: Saudia, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, will mark the 50th anniversary of flights to Dubai on Wednesday with a special event in the emirate.

The Saudi national carrier launched its first flight to Dubai from Dhahran in 1963, carrying just 48 passengers. The number of Saudia services to Dubai have since increased to 74 weekly flights and operate from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah. The airline carries more than 500,000 passengers annually between Saudi Arabia and Dubai.