- Riyadh Air targets more than 100 global destinations by 2030
- Recent order includes 28 Boeing 787s and six A350-1000s
- Plans to connect Saudi capital to every EU capital by 2030
- Awaiting 60 Airbus A321neos from late 2026
- Projected to generate over 200,000 jobs
Riyadh Air intends to expand to more than 100 international destinations by 2030 in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme according to CEO Tony Douglas. The plan is underscored by the airline’s recent order with Boeing for 28 incremental 787s including eight 787-9s and twenty 787-10s plus six incremental A350-1000s. The latest routes out of Riyadh include Manila Ninoy Aquino International, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Islamabad International, Lahore International, Mumbai International, Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur International.
The airline completed its inaugural flight to London Heathrow using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and established core regional trunk routes to Dubai and Cairo. The carrier has recently mapped out major destinations across Asia and Europe adding slots and planning services to Manila, Bangkok, Islamabad, Lahore, Mumbai, Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur and Málaga. A core element of its long-term strategy includes an ambitious plan to connect the Saudi capital to every EU capital city by 2030.
Riyadh Air is awaiting the arrival of 60 Airbus A321neos expected to begin delivering in the latter half of 2026 which will handle domestic connectivity and feed passengers into its expanding long-haul international network. The airline’s expansion is projected to generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute roughly $20bn to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP by the end of the decade.
