Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new airline, is set to begin operations this year and is exploring partnerships with Air India and IndiGo to strengthen its presence in India. CEO Tony Douglas emphasised the importance of the Indian market and confirmed talks with Boeing and Airbus to expand the fleet with B777Xs and A350-1000s. The airline will launch with 60 A321 neos and 72 B787-9 Dreamliners, aiming to connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations by 2030.
India remains a key aviation market, with 1.5 million Indian tourists visiting Saudi Arabia last year. Riyadh Air’s expansion aligns with Saudi’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond oil. The airline is also partnering with Delta Air Lines for US-Saudi routes and has placed major aircraft orders with Boeing.
Saudi Arabia is investing in infrastructure, tourism, and clean energy to attract 100 million visitors annually. Mega projects like Neom City and the Red Sea Project, along with improved trade policies and transportation, support the country’s transformation into a global economic and aviation hub.
