After more than a year of delays, Riyadh Air is officially in the air. The Saudi state-backed carrier operated its inaugural flight June 11 — a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Riyadh to London — marking the long-awaited entry of a third Gulf mega-carrier into one of the world’s most competitive aviation markets.
The delays were Boeing’s fault, not Riyadh Air’s. Persistent delivery problems pushed the launch well past its original 2025 target. The airline also had to time its debut around heightened regional tensions following Iranian drone and missile activity across the Gulf — not exactly the backdrop you’d design for a splashy launch.
Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and led by CEO Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air has serious ambitions. The carrier has ordered 132 Boeing 787s and 25 Airbus A350-1000s, with options for 50 more A350s, and is targeting 100-plus international destinations within five years. Saudi officials are projecting 200,000 jobs tied to the airline’s growth.
The real question analysts are asking: does the Gulf need another Emirates? Riyadh Air’s answer is Saudi Arabia’s domestic market of 35 million people — significantly larger than the home markets of Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad.
Why It Matters: A new Gulf carrier with deep government pockets and a massive aircraft order book means more competition for routes, which historically pushes fares down. If Riyadh Air executes on its London ambitions and expands westward, business travelers could see new options on transatlantic connections through Riyadh within the next few years.
Source: Aviation24