Riyadh Air is the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia after Saudia. It is based in Riyadh, with its main hub at King Khalid International Airport. The airline is aimed at the world market and plans domestic and international scheduled flights to over 100 destinations across six continents. The keyword for travelers and the industry is clear: the Riyadh Air launch 2026 is designed to reshape how Saudi Arabia connects with major global cities.
The fleet plan is also central to the story. Riyadh Air’s fleet will consist of three aircraft types: 60 Airbus A321neo, 25 Airbus A350-1000, and 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. These three figures show how the airline is balancing narrow-body and wide-body capacity from day one, with the Boeing 787-9 also linked to proving and early flying activity.
Riyadh Air was announced on 12 March 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), according to the Saudi Press Agency. Yasir Al-Rumayyan is chairman, and Tony Douglas is CEO. Riyadh Air is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.
What “Launch” Means in 2026: Routes, Testing, and Timing
Some flying started before full public schedules. Riyadh Air operated its first commercial flight on 26 October 2025. Multiple reports say that since late 2025 it has conducted limited proving flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using a leased Boeing 787-9, with access restricted to employees and partners under a testing program.
For the public-facing ramp-up, slot filings for the Northern Summer 2026 season show Riyadh Air targeting approximately 15 destinations from Riyadh. Proposed cities include London, Paris, and Mumbai, and the airline has also confirmed Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester as part of its initial network rollout. Separately, a report also says public bookings opened in 2026, with London, Dubai, and Cairo as the first three commercial routes.
The new carrier also changes the competitive picture on key long-haul markets. Saudia is currently the sole operator of nonstop service between Saudi Arabia and the United States, flying from Riyadh and Jeddah to New York JFK and Washington Dulles, based on OAG Schedules Analyser data cited in reporting. Riyadh Air has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to operate scheduled and charter services between Saudi Arabia and the United States, and it is seeking expedited approval. Delta Air Lines is scheduled to launch flights between Atlanta and Riyadh in October 2026, adding another direct link on the U.S.-Saudi Arabia market.
What is the Riyadh Air launch 2026 expected to include at the start?
Who owns Riyadh Air and who runs it?
What aircraft types and counts are in Riyadh Air’s fleet plan?
Is Riyadh Air already flying any routes?
What is Riyadh Air doing to prepare for U.S. flights?
