OTTAWA – Saudi Arabia’s national airline will resume flights to Canada after a five-year diplomatic dispute.

Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, will operate three flights per week between Jeddah and Toronto Pearson International Airport starting December 2.

Transport Canada says this is the first time there have been direct links between the two countries since 2018, when Saudi Arabia suspended flights in protest at Canada’s strong condemnation of its human rights record.

This year, Global Affairs Canada called on the country to “immediately release” imprisoned women’s rights and democracy activists.

In response, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and expelled Canada’s envoy, while taking steps to reduce the number of its citizens studying in Canada.

The two countries agreed in May to welcome new ambassadors to their respective capitals.

Saudi Arabia is trying to expand its tourism economy after years of restricting visas to people traveling for religious or professional reasons.

The Canadian Press has contacted its embassy in Ottawa for comment on the resumption of flights.

The dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia came just months before the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

Saudi Arabia has rejected US intelligence findings that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved his assassination.

Ahead of the diplomatic row, the Liberal government temporarily suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid reports that Canadian-made light armored vehicles were being used in a bloody conflict in Yemen.