Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's newest national carrier, celebrated its inaugural year on March 12, 2023, with a series of strategic alliances and agreements designed to enhance its operations.
Planning to launch its first commercial flights by 2025 and link Riyadh to over 100 global destinations by 2030, Riyadh Air's initial year has been characterized by notable advancements and groundwork.
CEO Tony Douglas conveyed his contentment with the achievements of the year, remarking, "We were able to establish the foundation for our future operations throughout the extraordinary year of 2023. We eagerly await the arrival of an even more prosperous year ahead." Douglas, representing the Future Investment Initiative, declared Riyadh Air's aspiration to attain the status of the most technologically sophisticated airline on a global scale during the 56th General Assembly of the Arab Air Transport Association (AACO).
Riyadh Air aspires to revolutionize the travel experience by emphasizing sustainability, unmatched hospitality, and state-of-the-art comfort, aligning with the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics, and contributing to the diversification of Saudi Arabia's economy. The airline's inception is projected to yield approximately $20 billion in non-oil GDP and generate numerous employment opportunities.
Notable accomplishments include adding 90 GEnx engines to the fleet and acquiring Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Riyadh Air's formal use of the flight symbol RX marks its debut on the international aviation scene.
In addition to these milestones, Riyadh Air forged a collaboration with Saudi Airlines during the Dubai Air Show, signifying a groundbreaking partnership between the country's carriers. Moreover, Riyadh Air established a strategic alliance with Lucid, a luxury electric vehicle manufacturer, focusing on commercial, marketing, and operational synergies for travelers. The airline has also formed partnerships with industry leaders such as Lufthansa Systems, IBM Consulting, Swiss-AS, CAE Group for Pilot Training, Microsoft, Oracle, Accenture, and Adobe, showcasing its commitment to excellence and innovation in the aviation sector.
