Saudi Arabia launches Riyadh Air to compete with Gulf carriers

Saudi Arabia officially launched its state‑owned carrier Riyadh Air on 10 June 2026, operating its first commercial flight from Riyadh to London‑Heathrow. The airline, fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, started with two Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners and has ordered 132 Boeing 787s plus a deal for 25 Airbus A350‑1000s, with options for more aircraft.

Tony Douglas, the former Etihad chief, serves as CEO. Riyadh Air aims to challenge regional giants Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, targeting 22 destinations by March 2027 and 100 cities by 2030. The carrier is promoted as a key pillar of Vision 2030, expected to create about 200 000 jobs and add roughly $20 billion to the non‑oil GDP. Its growth is linked to a new Riyadh airport designed for 120 million passengers annually and to major events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.