Riyadh Air (RX, Riyadh) targets two European cities as its first destinations when it launches in late 2025. Chief executive officer, Tony Douglas, told the Executive Traveller that the airline expects to receive one aircraft and add two new routes per month.
In the first months, Riyadh Air intends to focus on services to major metros in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, in addition to the two European destinations.
Douglas stated that the carrier will start with small-scale operations due to the lack of aircraft but will rapidly expand its network with the delivery of new aircraft. ch-aviation data reveals that Riyadh Air currently has a single B787-9 in its fleet, which is used for certification and training and will not be a part of the launch fleet. The carrier has 39 line-fit units on order from Boeing, none of which have been delivered yet. The company also has an outstanding order for sixty A321-200Ns and twenty-five A350-1000s.
By the end of 2030, Riyadh Air plans to serve every capital city in Europe, in addition to large capitals in the Far East and Central Asia. The company also intends to establish a strong presence in the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent, and the US East Coast.
The airline is eying Australia and New Zealand, although only once its fleet is sufficiently large.
As it awaits the delivery of new aircraft, Riyadh Air plans to serve selected long-haul markets through its partnerships with other carriers.
"In the early stage of building our network, we’re more likely to put on a ‘thick route’ into Singapore Changi, giving people a wonderful guest experience on Riyadh Air – and on an RX codeshare ticket, the final leg [to Australia or New Zealand] on an equally incredible product and experience with Singapore Airlines," the airline's executive said.
The company has already concluded strategic cooperation MoUs with several carriers - including Singapore Airlines, EgyptAir, and Air France-KLM. Douglas said that Riyadh Air is also negotiating an agreement with an undisclosed North American airline.
