Saudi Arabia officially launched its new national airline, Riyadh Air, on Wednesday after more than a year of delays, moving ahead despite economic uncertainty caused by ongoing Middle East conflicts and strong competition from established Gulf carriers.
The airlineâs inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Riyadh Airâs signature white and lavender colors, departed for London at 2:30am local time. The launch marks a major milestone in the kingdomâs efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil and establish Riyadh as a global aviation hub capable of competing with Dubai.
âWe want to bring glamour, we want to bring refinement, we want to bring grace back,â Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas told AFP.
The airlineâs debut was initially scheduled for 2025 but was postponed due to aircraft delivery delays from Boeing, which has faced manufacturing and safety-related challenges in recent years.
The launch also comes after a period of heightened regional instability, with Iran carrying out unprecedented drone and missile attacks on Gulf targets, including airports. However, Douglas expressed confidence in Riyadhâs position, noting that the Saudi capital had been less affected by the turmoil.
âI think Riyadh, as a result of its geography, during this particular point in time, has been less affectedâ by the attacks, he said.
Reflecting on the airlineâs journey to launch, Douglas added: âYou have the trials and the tribulations, you win some, you lose some, you make progress, you sometimes have setbacks, but you have made it, and this day weâve made it.â
Riyadh Air is owned by Saudi Arabiaâs Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages approximately $900 billion in assets and plays a central role in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmanâs Vision 2030 reform agenda. The airline has ordered 132 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and previously signed an agreement for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with options to purchase up to 50 more.
âOur ambition is to be able to connect to over 100 international cities over the next five years,â Douglas said.
During a ceremony marking the delivery of the airlineâs first aircraft, PIF Governor and Riyadh Air Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan called the launch âa historic moment for the nationâ and said the carrier would generate â200,000 direct and indirect jobsâ.
The airlineâs launch aligns with Saudi Arabiaâs broader aviation expansion plans, including the construction of a new airport in Riyadh designed to handle 120 million passengers annually by 2030, more than double the capacity of the existing King Khalid International Airport.
While some analysts question whether the Gulf aviation market can accommodate another major carrier alongside Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, Saudi Arabiaâs large domestic population of around 35 million people provides a significant advantage compared to its regional competitors.
The kingdom aims to increase annual air traffic to 330 million passengers by 2030, supported by major international events such as the 2030 World Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, as well as the steady flow of millions of religious pilgrims visiting Makkah each year.
