Riyadh Air A Historic Launch Achieving Vision 2030 Connecting the World
The announcement of Riyadh Air's commencement of operations on October 26, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the transformation journey of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This new national carrier is a tangible embodiment of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the Kingdom's stature on the global stage. By fulfilling its commitment to launch before the end of 2025, the new company confirms its dedication to global standards and delivering an exceptional travel experience, beginning with its inaugural flights to London as the first step towards building a global network that connects the Kingdom to the world.
The official launch on October 26, 2025, will see Riyadh Air's first international flight take off for London Heathrow Airport.
The airline will operate daily flights between Riyadh and London. Flight RX401 will depart from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh at 03:15 AM, arriving in London at 07:30 AM. The return flight, RX402, will depart from London at 09:30 AM, arriving in Riyadh at 07:15 PM.
These inaugural flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, named "Jameel" (Beautiful).
Riyadh Air has also revealed that Dubai will be the next destination after London, paving the way for the expansion of its network during the winter of 2025 and summer of 2026. This launch is part of what the company describes as its "Path to Perfection" plan, aimed at ensuring the highest degree of operational readiness before transitioning to full-scale operations.
The company holds grand ambitions to become the world's largest start-up airline, having disclosed purchase orders for 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, 60 Airbus A321 aircraft, and a number of Airbus A350 aircraft. In total, the company is committed to an order of 182 aircraft as part of a plan to build a modern fleet that will serve its objectives until 2030.
Riyadh Air's business model reflects distinct advantages in several areas:
- Full Fleet Ownership: Unlike some other carriers in the region, the company's official spokesperson confirmed that Riyadh Air does not intend to lease aircraft, but rather aims to begin operational activities through its fully owned fleet.
- Focus on Quality and Sustainability: The company seeks to offer an operational model based on quality, sustainability, and innovation, with a focus on the guest experience and elevating the service level.
- Technical Leadership: The airline is adopting the latest digital trends and technologies, with a focus on implementing the best global practices for sustainability and safety in the aviation industry.
The launch of Riyadh Air is a pivotal step within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, as the new carrier seeks to enhance the status of the capital, Riyadh, as a global destination and gateway for the Kingdom. The official spokesperson for the company affirmed that "Riyadh deserves to be a global hub for the aviation industry," reflecting the scale of ambition within the Kingdom's civil aviation sector.
The strategic goal of Riyadh Air is to connect the Kingdom to more than 100 global destinations by 2030, which will directly contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy and the National Aviation Strategy. In this regard, Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated: "This is not just the launch of an airline, but the embodiment of a vision aimed at connecting the Kingdom to the world as a pillar of Vision 2030."
The launch of the "Sfeer " (Travel) loyalty program stands as one of Riyadh Air's most prominent initiatives in building a digital, world-class travel experience. The program introduces a new concept in the world of loyalty schemes through:
- Unique Community Feature: The program uniquely allows for the sharing of "Tier Points" between members and their community, enabling family and friends to help each other achieve a higher status level within the program.
- Exclusive Benefits for Founding Members: The program's first members enjoy exclusive priority for booking tickets as soon as commercial flights are announced, in addition to exclusive invitations to events and unique experiences, and complimentary onboard internet.
- Sustainability and Flexibility: The program offers a unique policy of earning "points with no expiry date," ensuring members gain full benefit from all rewards.
Riyadh Air is building an integrated digital operational framework, having signed a strategic partnership with IBM to integrate a suite of IBM watsonx solutions and IBM Consulting services. These solutions will form the core AI infrastructure for Riyadh Air, enabling it to deliver an exceptional digital travel experience.
Riyadh Air strives to deliver an exceptional Saudi hospitality experience that blends authenticity, luxury, and attention to detail. Tony Douglas indicated that the company is fundamentally in the hospitality business, not just air transport, stating, "It's about how to make guests feel welcome and comfortable."
As part of its preparations for the start of operations, the company inaugurated the "Al Hifaw" (Welcome) Lounge at King Khalid International Airport, designed as a premier hospitality venue that reflects Saudi generosity with a modern spirit. The lounge spans 2,000 m², can accommodate 370 guests, and was designed by the global studio Yabu Pushelberg to create an experience that combines luxury and innovation.
The leadership of Riyadh Air is aware of the challenges they face in a regional aviation environment characterized by a high level of competition and stringent standards. Tony Douglas noted that companies like Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Saudia have set very high standards in experience and service. However, he affirmed that Riyadh Air is focusing on the minute details that make a difference in the guest experience, stating, "Success in the world of aviation is only achieved through extreme attention to detail, because if neglected, they become the primary enemy of quality."
The launch of Riyadh Air on October 26, 2025, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the journey of Saudi aviation, as the company combines operational precision, digital innovation, and the spirit of Saudi generosity. This launch contributes to achieving the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in enhancing the Kingdom's position as a global aviation hub and a leading tourist and economic destination.
While the company begins with its flights to London, the greater ambition is to reach more than 100 global destinations by 2030, which will reinforce Riyadh's status as a global gateway and contribute to the diversification of the Saudi economy. Fulfilling the commitment to launch before the end of 2025 sends a clear message about the Kingdom's seriousness in implementing its ambitious vision and lays a solid foundation for a new era of excellence in the regional and global aviation industry.
