Published 10 hours ago • loading... • Updated 6 hours ago

Saudi's New National Carrier Gets Off Ground Despite War, Delays

Saudi Arabia launched its second national carrier, Riyadh Air, on Wednesday after more than a year of delays, positioning the airline to transform Riyadh into a global aviation hub.
Backed by the $900 billion Public Investment Fund , Riyadh Air serves as a flagship project for de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 economic reforms to reduce oil reliance.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas unveiled the carrier's first Boeing 787 at King Khalid International Airport this week in an 'epic curtain-drop reveal,' with the aircraft built in North Charleston.
Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan said the company will create '200,000 direct and indirect jobs' while planning to connect over 100 international cities within five years, leveraging a 35 million-person domestic market.
Facing intense competition from Dubai's Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad, Riyadh Air seeks to bring 'glamour' and 'refinement' to the industry. Douglas noted the airline's geography has helped it weather regional economic turmoil.

Insights by Ground AI

16 Articles

Pakistan Today

Lean Right

Saudi Arabia Launches Riyadh Air After Delays

6 hours ago·Pakistan

Read Full Article

The Post and Courier

Center

Boeing SC 787 gets Saudi startup airline off the ground

This week’s business roundup includes reports about a high-profile 787 delivery from Boeing SC to a Saudi startup airline and a “Top 10” moment for North Charleston’s BBQ King.

8 hours ago·Charleston, United States

Read Full Article

Die Presse

Lean Right

Saudi Arabia Defies War in the Middle East and Lets New Airline Take Off

Riyadh Air is scheduled to fly from Riyadh to Manchester, Madrid, Cairo and Dubai next to London, as well as the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah.

8 hours ago·Vienna, Austria

Read Full Article

La Libre

Center

Riyadh Air, the New Saudi Airline Launched in Parallel with the War

The launch was delayed because of Boeing's difficulties and the situation in the Middle East. ...

9 hours ago·Brussels, Belgium

Read Full Article

Daily Sabah

Right

Saudi Arabia's 2nd national carrier flies off despite war, delays

The second national carrier of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air, launched operations with its first flight after more than a year of delays on Wednesday, defying...

9 hours ago·Türkiye

Read Full Article

Khaleej Times

Lean Right

Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air takes off after delays; first flight departs for London

Saudi Arabia launched its second national carrier Riyadh Air after more than a year of delays on Wednesday, defying the economic turmoil triggered by the Middle East war

10 hours ago·Dubai, United Arab Emirates (the)

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year