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On Sunday, 12 March 2023, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia announced the official establishment of a new national airline called Riyadh Air. Tony Douglas, an experienced industry professional, has been appointed as its CEO. The creation of Riyadh Air is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to compete with other major transport and travel hubs in the region. According to the state news agency SPA, the airline aims to serve over 100 destinations globally by 2030, taking advantage of the kingdom's strategic location between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
 

The new Riyadh Air

The establishment of Riyadh Air is expected to have a significant economic impact, with a projected $20 billion increase in Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP growth and the creation of over 200,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly. However, the new airline's entry into the market may lead to a more challenging competition for passengers, particularly against major players such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic.
 

The new game to cotrol the skies

Riyadh Air is entirely owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has over $600 billion in assets and is the primary driver of the country's economic diversification and efforts to reduce its reliance on oil. In October, industry sources revealed that Saudi Arabia was in advanced talks to order approximately 40 A350 jets from Airbus, with Boeing also vying for a share in the kingdom's transportation expansion. Saudia, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines, confirmed at the time that it was discussing orders with both Boeing and Airbus, both for itself and the planned new carrier.
 

The lagacy of Saudi Arabian Airlines

Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, is the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia. The airline was founded in 1945 and has since grown to become one of the largest airlines in the Middle East, operating a vast network of domestic and international flights. Saudia's fleet consists of a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s. The airline is committed to providing its passengers with a high-quality travel experience, offering comfortable seating, in-flight entertainment, and a range of meal options. Saudia is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance and has codeshare agreements with several major airlines worldwide.
Here is a list of current inventory of aircrafts owed by Saudi Arabian Airlines
Aircraft Type Number in Fleet
Airbus A320-200 28
Airbus A321-200 15
Airbus A330-300 18
Airbus A320neo 15
Airbus A321neo 6
Boeing 777-300ER 13
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner 13
Embraer E-170 15
Embraer E-190 6
ATR 72-600 17

 

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