Riyadh Air signs Strategic Co-operation MoU with Virgin
September 5, 2024
Riyadh Air has announced that is has signed a Strategic Co-operation MoU with Virgin Atlantic – who will operate a daily A330neo service to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from March 2025. The new agreement will “introduce a range of benefits for customers traveling between London, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and beyond,” says the Saudi airline, which is working towards the start of its own operations, also beginning in 2025. Riyadh Air is committed to building a premier carrier for customers travelling to and from the Middle East, from its base of operations in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The airline has recently announced that its first batch of 32 cabin crew members have successfully completed their initial training course, bringing operations one step closer.
The agreement with Virgin Atlantic marks the first stage in a planned strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and enhance customer experience. A recent fivefold increase in Saudis living in the UK (measured between 2000 and 2018) means that the new Virgin service between London and Riyadh will help to connect family and friends.
The agreement lays the foundations for a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, that should include interline and codeshare connectivity, as well as a potential deeper partnership possibly encompassing loyalty benefits.
The partnership will open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Virgin Atlantic customers, which includes its new service between London Heathrow and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Tony Douglas, the CEO of Riyadh Air commented that: “Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic will help us collectively provide additional connectivity to the Kingdom. Riyadh Air has signed agreements with a number of strong global partners around the world, most recently Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic’s network will assist our growth to and from Saudi Arabia as we enter service in summer 2025.”
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said that: “Following on from the announcement of our new services from London to Riyadh, we’re committed to working with the best partners in the region, to ensure our first route to Saudi Arabia delivers choice to our customers. We’re looking forward to working closely with Riyadh Air as they embark on their journey into the skies.”
Saudi Vision 2030 is stimulating rapid growth in the airline business in the Kingdom. Air travel between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia is forecast to grow 24% between 2019-2035 reflecting a growth in annual trade between the UK and Saudi Arabia. This was worth £17.1 billion in 2023 and there is an ambition to reach £30 billion of trade by 2030.
