Riyadh Air, the Saudi Arabian airline startup, has outlined its initial network plans, securing slots for 15 destinations from Riyadh during the summer 2026 season. This move marks a significant step toward launching full commercial operations, with the airline targeting a mix of regional, Asian, and European cities.
The airline's scheduling requests, totaling 5,591 slot movements, include destinations such as Amman, Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Islamabad, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Manila, Mumbai, and Paris. These routes reflect Riyadh Air’s ambition of establishing long-haul connectivity as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification initiative.
Industry Challenges and Network Development
Despite securing the slots, the airline’s plans are subject to potential delays, influenced by aircraft delivery issues and regional geopolitical tensions. Early operations consisted of limited flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using Boeing 787-9 aircraft previously operated by Oman Air, serving as a test run before expanding to other routes such as Dubai and Cairo.
“Building a new airline in this environment has added complexity,” said CEO Tony Douglas, highlighting supply chain challenges and the importance of collaboration with aircraft manufacturers.
Riyadh Air has ordered 39 Boeing 787-9 planes, with options for an additional 33, along with orders for Airbus A350-1000s and A321neos. The long-term goal is to serve over 100 destinations by 2030. Many of the proposed routes are already served by existing carriers, with only three currently unserved from Riyadh, indicating a competitive landscape.
Additionally, regional security tensions, including recent strikes involving Iran and other geopolitical events, could impact the airline’s rollout schedule. The initial slot allocation was published by the aviation scheduling platform Aeroroutes, but the airline has not yet commented on specific operational timelines.
