Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air will launch its first international flight to London later this month. The inaugural service between Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) is scheduled for October 26, using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Initially, the daily flights will be available only to select groups and Riyadh Air employees.
"This rigorous flight program ... allows us to fine-tune every detail, ensuring a seamless, reliable, and world-class experience," said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air. "This carefully sequenced approach is our pathway to perfect, and we are now incredibly close to full operations with further destinations to be announced in the coming weeks as our new aircraft are delivered." Douglas also stated that the October launch fulfills Riyadh Air's commitment to begin flights in 2025.
Riyadh Air aims to expand Saudi Arabia’s presence in global aviation and compete with established Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways. The airline is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to grow its tourism sector and establish a major connecting hub at RUH. At an industry event in 2024, Douglas discussed plans for significant investment in both product offerings and branding initiatives.