Riyadh Air

Flight from Heathrow to Riyadh

I recently flew Riyadh Air on its flagship route from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to King Khalid International Airport (RUH). Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia's new national airline which was launched in 2023 as part of the country's wider Vision 2030. The airline has already signed multiple partnership and codeshare agreements with 9 announced carriers including KLM, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, Air China and Turkish Airlines, giving it instant connectivity beyond its own route network which is likely to give Emirates, Qatar and Etihad (not to mention Saudia Airlines and British Airways) a good run for their money.

An airline with just two aircraft

Riyadh Air recently received the first two aircraft (RXAA and RXAB). Its third aircraft is a leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Oman Air. Five more planes are expected by the end of July and one per month following that. To date, the airline has firm orders for 124 aircraft including 39 x 787s, 60 x A321neos (for short haul) and 25 x A350s (for long haul). When these aircraft are delivered, the airline intends to offer a full service with further destinations including Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester. The London flights are now operating using the latest aircraft and flights from Manchester are scheduled to start in July.

An airline with 124 aircraft on order, numerous codeshares already signed, and a plan to serve 100+ destinations by the end of the decade.

A major global carrier in the making

Riyadh Air's ambitions extend far beyond simply operating flights between Saudi Arabia and major international cities. Backed by the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund, the airline forms a central part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy, boost tourism and transform Riyadh into a leading global business and leisure destination.

Global ambitions

The airline plans to serve more than 100 destinations by the end of the decade, connecting travellers across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas through its rapidly expanding hub in Riyadh. Modern aircraft, a strong premium product and an extensive network of airline partnerships are all designed to help Riyadh Air compete with established Gulf giants such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad.

The road ahead

While the airline remains in its infancy, its growth plans are among the most ambitious in modern aviation. If it can successfully execute its strategy, Riyadh Air has the potential to become one of the most significant new airlines of the 21st century and a major force in global aviation.