Riyadh Air to start commercial operations soon after successful test flight to London
Riyadh Air’s official passenger launch is
“imminent,” according to Muhammad Ovais Yousuf, Head of Aviation at Saudi
Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), who says the aviation sector is a
cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy — generating up to a fourfold
multiplier effect on GDP.
Speaking
exclusively to Gulf Business just a day after Riyadh Air completed
its inaugural test flight to London, Yousuf confirmed that the airline is
entering the final phase before full commercial operations.
On Wednesday, the PIF-owned carrier announced
that it will begin daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow on October
26, as part of its “Path to Perfect” programme. The route will initially be
served by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner named Jameela and limited to employees and
select passenger groups as the airline tests systems, crews, and service
protocols. Additional flights to Dubai are expected to follow.
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“Riyadh Air is one of our most strategic
mandates — not just an investment, but an impact project,” said Yousuf. “We’ve
been developing it for nearly four years, from concept to execution, focusing
on talent, fleet, and infrastructure. Like a hotel’s soft opening, this test
phase lets us refine every detail before the full public launch.”
Building a next-generation
airline
Yousuf said Riyadh Air aims to redefine
regional air travel with a digital-first, next-generation model.
“Riyadh is home to eight million people,
providing strong demand from day one,” he explained. “And because we’re
starting from a clean slate, we’re free from legacy systems — allowing us to
design an entirely new, technology-driven airline.”
The airline is partnering with leading
aviation tech firms, including FLYR, to deliver a seamless digital experience
across booking, boarding, and onboard services. Riyadh Air’s CEO, Tony Douglas
— former head of Etihad Airways — has overseen the carrier’s development since
2023.
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Aviation: A growth engine for Vision 2030
With over $925 billion in assets under
management and more than 220 portfolio companies across 13 sectors, the PIF has
positioned aviation as a catalyst for national growth.
“Aviation drives GDP growth, job creation, and
connectivity,” Yousuf said. “It supports other sectors from tourism and
logistics to industry and entertainment. Strong airlines, airports, and MRO
capabilities are essential for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is expanding
rapidly as the Kingdom prepares to host World Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup
2034. Passenger traffic through King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
rose from 26 million in 2019 to 37 million in 2024 — a 40% increase — even
before these mega-projects fully materialize.
PIF’s broader aviation mandate
Riyadh Air is one pillar of PIF’s wider National
Aviation Strategy, structured around four focus areas:
1.
Commercial Aviation – including Riyadh Air and other
airlines.
2.
General Aviation – managing a fleet of around 30 business jets and 60 helicopters.
3.
Aviation Services – led by AviLease, a $7.5 billion global aircraft leasing company
with about 200 aircraft across 45 airlines.
4.
Infrastructure and MRO – developed in partnership with Saudia and other strategic partners.
“Our aviation strategy mirrors the national
vision — building assets that advance Saudi Arabia’s global connectivity while
generating sustainable returns for PIF,” Yousuf concluded.
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With
Riyadh Air preparing for takeoff, the Kingdom’s aviation ambitions are set to
soar, propelling Saudi Arabia closer to its Vision 2030 goal of becoming a
global hub for business, tourism, and innovation.
Source: Gulf Business
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