The Saudi-backed carrier’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Douglas, made the announcement overnight, fulfilling the airline’s commitment to take to the air before the end of the year.
Dubai will be connected as the second hub, with additional routes to be revealed in the coming weeks for 2025 and 2026. Saudi Arabia has long-touted Riyadh Air as a key piece of the puzzle in unlocking the tourism potential of the previously isolated kingdom.
“This isn’t just a launch, it is…a core pillar of our Saudi Vision 2030,” Douglas enthused. “This carefully sequenced approach is our pathway to perfect, and we are now incredibly close to full operations with further destinations to be announced [soon] as our new aircraft are delivered.”
Riyadh Air has 182 planes on order, comprised of A321neos, B787‑9s, and A350‑1000 – the largest ever placed by a commercial start-up carrier. Alongside its launch announcement, Riyadh Air also revealed details of its debut loyalty program, Sfeer.
Early registration for the program is now open HERE, with early adopters to join an exclusive group called The Founders, which will offer priority access to bookings on future flights, along with other benefits set to be announced soon.
Confirmed benefits include the ability to share points with friends and family to enhance membership levels, a ‘no points expiry policy’, and gamified challenges to earn perks.
Riyadh Air has hinted Australia is part of its expansion plan once it has enough planes.
