Riyadh Air COO Peter Bellew.
As it prepares to enter commercial service, Riyadh Air is putting its focus on expanding international collaboration with airlines as one way to scale up its network from the Saudi Arabia capital.
The new airline has applied for an air operator’s certificate and test flights are expected to commence later this year.
“We want to be friends with everyone. It’s better to be United Nations than to be oneworld,” said COO Peter Bellew when asked if the airline has plans to join an alliance.
Riyadh Air has signed collaboration agreements with flag-carrier Saudia and Turkish Airlines in 2023.
Bellew said an advantage of being a startup is having the most modern digital systems, which can integrate with any airline’s infrastructure without concerns about legacy issues.
Riyadh Air plans to announce its launch routes by the end of 2024, ahead of its entry into commercial service in mid-2025. Bellew said major regional and European capitals are likely candidates.
He added there has been also huge interest in Asia, especially China, Indonesia and Singapore. Saudi Arabia and Singapore have signed an expansion of air services, allowing more flights and unrestricted fifth-freedom flights.
Riyadh Air has an order for 39 Boeing 787s and options for 72 more, and will make a decision on its narrowbody order in the next six months.
“There has been consistent commitment from [Boeing CEO] Dave Calhoun that the aircraft will arrive on time, and we will have to take Boeing’s word for it,” Bellew said.
Related Content
