Saudi Arabia Launches Riyadh Air as New National Carrier
Saudi Arabia introduces Riyadh Air, a second national airline based in the capital. Its first flight took off this month, marking a move to scale up global connectivity from the Gulf.
Riyadh Air has officially launched in Saudi Arabia. The new national carrier, backed by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, is based at King Khalid International Airport in the capital. The airline plans to operate long-haul routes and eventually serve over 100 destinations by 2030.
Riyadh Air is expected to lean on digital integration, a streamlined Boeing fleet and a sustainability-focused model to differentiate itself from other Gulf airlines. It will also focus on domestic mobility and inbound travel.
The airline is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, which has been pouring money into large-scale infrastructure and mobility projects. Riyadh Air was first announced in March 2023, and its commercial operations are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
Its launch follows other headline projects in the Kingdom, including plans for a new international airport in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s existing national airline, Saudia, will continue to operate separately.
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Jul 15, 2025 -
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