Riyadh Air, the latest initiative of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), aims to transform the Saudi aviation sector into a global leader, while supporting the country’s national 2030 Vision strategy.
Tony Douglas, Etihad‘s former CEO from 2018 to 2022, is at the helm of this ambitious new airline, which will fly under the acronym RX.
Launched in 2023 by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh Air will start flying in 2025. Its base will be King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH), the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The company’s ambition is to link Riyadh to over 100 destinations by 2030, making it a hub for air travel in the Middle East, on a par with Dubai and Doha.
For the moment, Riyadh Air has not revealed its list of destinations. The company says it wants to take advantage of Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographical position at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe to serve the whole world.
When the company launches Riyadh Air will operate regional flights in the Middle East. The carrier will then expand its network to carry business and leisure travellers to all four corners of the globe by 2030.
Riyadh Air relies on a modern, environmentally-friendly fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus 321neo aircrafts.
The company has ordered 60 Airbus 321neo aircraft, renowned for their low fuel consumption, comfort and noise reduction. An order for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners has been confirmed, with an option for a further 33.
The aircraft will also have two distinct liveries, with purple as the visual identity.
Riyadh Air will offer three classes of service on board its aircraft: economy, premium economy and business class. CEO Tony Douglas has decided not to offer First Class, unlike other Gulf airlines such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.
Instead, Riyadh Air will be banking on a business class “raised to the highest possible standards” and that it will come close to the First Class of its competitors. The business class will offer private suites, similar to Qatar Airways’ Qsuite.
The company remains discreet about its intention to join an airline alliance. However, memorandums of understanding have been signed with the following airlines:
Riyadh Air has not yet announced its frequent flyer program. So it’s too early to say whether it will be possible to book these flights with points from partner airlines such as Air Canada or Delta. To be continued!
Riyadh Air, the new Saudi national airline, plans to launch operations in 2025, initially with regional flights. The fleet will comprise Boeing 787 wide-body jets and Airbus A321neo medium-body jets.
The aircraft will be equipped with three classes of service: economy, premium economy and business class. The company does not intend to operate First Class, but rather to offer an exceptional business class.
The company is aiming for a fleet of 200 aircraft and the opening of 100 destinations by 2030. Despite partnerships already established with Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, Air China, China Eastern, EgyptAir, and Singapore Airlines, the global alliance that Riyadh Air could join remains uncertain.
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