After announcing a daily, direct service between Riyadh and London’s Heathrow Airport in October 2025 and confirming Cairo as a key destination via a social media teaser campaign last month, Riyadh Air is steadily gaining momentum toward its highly anticipated commercial launch.
The initial network strategy of the soon-to-launch national carrier has come into focus through recent industry filings, namely Airport Coordination Limited (ACL). As the world’s premier airport slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) manages capacity for 79 airports globally. And by optimising slot allocation, ACL shares and details a quarterly and annual report so as to enhance operational efficiency and performance for the collective benefit of airlines, airport operators, and the travelling public.
In it's latest report released, ACL's (publicly available) findings have unveiled that Riyadh Air, Saudi's new national carrier has identified 15 high-priority global markets that will form the backbone of its early operations. These routes are strategically designed to transform Riyadh into a premier global transit hub, mirroring the "super-connector" models of neighbouring Gulf giants while prioritising point-to-point traffic to the Saudi capital.
Riyadh Air's 15 Initial & Confirmed Flight Routes
According to an interview with CEO Tony Douglas in November 2025, it was said that the airline would launch publicly available flights in Q1 of 2026. With this new data source unveiled, it is expected that the planned network for Riyadh Air will span four continents, focusing on major financial centres, popular leisure destinations, and high-volume regional corridors.
To support this rollout, Riyadh Air is leveraging a massive fleet order including Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and Airbus A321neos for regional efficiency. While specific start dates for public and commercial passenger bookings are expected to be announced soon, the identification of these 15 cities confirms the airline's commitment to Vision 2030’s goal of connecting the Kingdom to over 250 destinations globally.
The proposed network is divided into four key geographical regions:
Asia & Southeast Asia
The carrier is placing a heavy emphasis on the Asian market, targeting cities with significant existing travel volumes to the Kingdom.
- Bangkok: Reconnecting the Kingdom with Thailand’s capital following the restoration of diplomatic ties, and the opening of borders for Saudi tourists.
- Islamabad & Lahore: These links will tap into the massive demand for travel between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, particularly for business.
- Jakarta: Restoring a critical link to Indonesia that has lacked consistent direct service since 2025, and currently there is no direct link.
- Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur is a key hub for both business with return travel being heavily focussed on religious tourism in Saudi Arabia.
- Manila: This route will serve the high-volume corridor between the Philippines and Riyadh.
- Mumbai: Set to strengthen ties with India’s financial heart, this Mumbai to Riyadh route will further bolster business connections.
Europe
Riyadh Air’s European strategy focuses on a mix of established hubs and currently underserved capitals and European markets.
- London (Heathrow): Already a focus for the airline's technical and staff test flights, this route will be a flagship daily service.
- Paris: This route will connect the two capitals for both luxury travel and diplomacy.
- Madrid: A significant addition, this route marks a return to direct connectivity with Spain.
- Manchester: Providing a direct link to the North of England, this is a popular connecting hub in the UK, and is currently underserved by direct flights from Riyadh.
Middle East & North Africa
Of course, as expected, regional and local connectivity remains a pivotal cornerstone of Riyadh Air's launch and continued strategy. These flight routes will focus on the busiest air corridors in the world.
- Dubai: A nearby neighbour, Dubai International (DXB), the world's most-trafficked international route will be a primary focus.
- Jeddah: Essential domestic connectivity between the Kingdom's two largest cities.
- Amman: Strengthening regional ties with the Jordanian capital.
- Cairo: Teased as a destination via social media in February 2026, this route will serve one of the largest point-to-point markets in the Middle East.
