Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier Riyadh Air has launched its first commercial passenger flights, marking a landmark moment for the Kingdom’s aviation ambitions and opening new direct connections between Saudi Arabia and major global destinations across Europe and the Middle East.
The airline operated its inaugural commercial service from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to London Heathrow on June 10, 2026, carrying passengers on board its brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Boeing delivered Riyadh Air’s first two Dreamliners on June 5, with a third aircraft joining the fleet on June 7 — allowing the carrier to bring forward its commercial launch ahead of schedule.
Route Rollout: Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester Next
Riyadh Air’s initial network expansion follows a structured rollout across June and July 2026:
- June 14: Riyadh–Jeddah domestic service launches
- June 18: Riyadh–Dubai route opens
- June 25: Riyadh–Cairo service begins
- July 17: Riyadh–Madrid launches
- July 23: Riyadh–Manchester service begins
The airline has also announced five additional new destinations as part of its initial network, positioning itself as a premium full-service carrier targeting both business and leisure travellers on routes that connect Saudi Arabia to Europe, Asia and the wider Middle East.
Fleet Plans: 10 Aircraft by End of 2026, 72 Total
Riyadh Air plans to receive 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners by the end of 2026, with its long-term fleet plan comprising 72 aircraft — making it one of the largest Dreamliner orders ever placed by a Gulf carrier. The 787-9 configuration offers passengers a wide-body long-haul experience with fuel efficiency that supports competitive pricing across intercontinental routes.
The launch positions Riyadh Air alongside Saudi Arabia’s existing national carrier Saudia, creating a dual-carrier strategy that mirrors what the UAE achieved with Emirates and Etihad — using competing carriers to maximise connectivity and increase Riyadh’s attractiveness as a hub city for transit traffic between Europe, Africa and Asia.
What It Means for Gulf Travellers
For travellers across the GCC, Riyadh Air’s launch introduces new options on key routes and is expected to apply competitive pressure on airfares between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and European destinations. The Riyadh–Dubai route launching on June 18 is of particular interest to UAE-based business travellers and the Saudi expatriate community, with Riyadh Air expected to offer competitive business-class pricing against existing carriers on the corridor.
Travel agents and corporate travel managers across the Gulf are advised to register with Riyadh Air’s trade portal to access early booking and group travel rates as the airline builds its distribution network during the launch phase.
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