New Saudi national airline: Riyadh Air’s first international flight set for early 2025, say reports

New Saudi national airline: Riyadh Air’s first international flight set for early 2025, say reports

In October, KSA was in advanced negotiations to order almost 40 A350 jets from Airbus, with Boeing also lobbying for a slice of the kingdom's transportation expansion

By Agencies Published: Mon 13 Mar 2023, 12:47 PM Last updated: Mon 13 Mar 2023, 12:48 PM

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman formally announced on Sunday the creation of a new national airline, Riyadh Air, with ex-Etihad CEO, Tony Douglas as its chief executive, as the kingdom moves to transform country's travel industry.

Riyadh Air will will serve more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030, making use of the kingdom's location between Asia, Africa and Europe, state news agency SPA said.

According to reports, the company is set to receive the first wide-body aircraft and launch its first international flight in early 2025. The national carrier is yet to announce its aircraft orders, but the new CEO noted that the order will be "substantial and will reflect Riyadh Air's ambitions."

In October, Saudi Arabia was in advanced negotiations to order almost 40 A350 jets from Airbus, with Boeing also lobbying for a slice of the kingdom's transportation expansion, industry sources had told Reuters.

The head of state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) told Reuters at the