Riyadh Air is nearing completion of its air operator certificate (AOC) and plans to launch initial routes in early 2025, focusing on maximising aircraft utilisation through strategic slot timings at airports, CEO Tony Douglas told a forum at the Routes 2024 conference in Bahrain.
The airline has ordered 39 Boeing 787-9s for long-haul operations, with plans to announce a narrowbody order soon and a campaign for larger widebody aircraft already underway.
Riyadh Air aims to serve 100 destinations within five years, but acknowledges potential delivery delays that have already prompted revisions to their plans.
The airline’s upcoming booking platform, set to be unveiled on Oct. 28-30, will feature biometric technology for customer interactions, and while it does not plan to join a global alliance, it is actively seeking additional partnerships.
