Heathrow’s hattrick Sunday: 3 new long-haul airlines set to land in London this weekend
October 24, 2025
London Heathrow Airport is set to welcome three new long-haul carriers on Sunday, marking a significant expansion of its global network ahead of the winter season.
The new entrants include: Riyadh Air, which is launching flights to Saudi Arabia after operating proving flights earlier in the week; IndiGo, with its new services to India; and Air Peace, which has finally secured Heathrow slots to its Nigerian home base after operating out of Gatwick since March 2024.
The arrivals reinforce Heathrow’s status as a global gateway, one which OAG named at the top of its Megahubs 2025 ranking for connectivity, with Istanbul and Amsterdam following closely behind.
The new routes will expand choice for transit and UK-based passengers, as well as strengthening trade and tourism links with the Middle East, South Asia and West Africa.
Riyadh Air will be first new airline to land at Heathrow
Beginning on 26 October, Riyadh Air will commence daily flights from Riyadh to Heathrow, using its designated Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft, “Jamila”.
The flights are initially on sale to select groups and Riyadh Air employees, which the airline calls a “critical phase in ensuring unparalleled operational readiness ahead of receiving the first aircraft deliveries from Boeing, while utilising Riyadh Air’s recently awarded slot at London Heathrow (LHR)”.
Flights will depart Riyadh at 03:15 (RX401) with an early morning arrival time into London Heathrow at 07:30. The return flights depart London at 09:30 (RX402), arriving back in Riyadh at 19:15 (all times local).
The carrier will add flights to Dubai soon after. Further new routes are set to be announced in the coming weeks for winter 2025 and summer 2026.
“This isn’t just a launch; it’s a tangible realisation of a vision to connect Saudi Arabia to the world, a core pillar of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
“Our commitment to begin operations in 2025 is being fulfilled. This rigorous flight program on Jamila allows us to fine-tune every detail, ensuring a seamless, reliable, and world-class experience.
“This carefully sequenced approach is our pathway to perfect, and we are now incredibly close to full operations with further destinations to be announced in the coming weeks as our new aircraft are delivered.”
Air Peace will be the second new airline to arrive in Heathrow
Nigerian carrier Air Peace will begin direct services between Abuja and London Heathrow from 26 October, adding to its London Gatwick operation, which has been running for more than a year.
According to scheduling data from OAG, the route will operate three times per week using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
Two days later, a service to London Gatwick will also launch. Services will run three times a week to Heathrow and twice-weekly to Gatwick.
Flights from Abuja (P47576) depart at 11:30 on Fridays and at 11:20 on Saturdays and Sundays, arriving at Heathrow in the late afternoon at 17:00 on Fridays and 16:30 on weekends.
The return service (P47577) from Heathrow departs at 21:10 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, touching down in Abuja the following morning at 04:20 local time.
Since launching UK operations in March 2024, Air Peace has been operating flights into London Gatwick, but the airline has long sought a move to Heathrow.
The airline had argued for parity with UK carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which operate into Nigeria’s primary international airports in Lagos and Abuja.
Last September, Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, wrote a letter to the UK aviation authorities requesting slots for Air Peace at Heathrow.
The UK government had initially rejected Air Peace’s request for Heathrow slots, stating the applications were submitted too late for the 2024 summer and winter scheduling seasons.
In a formal response to Keyamo, the then-UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh defended the decision, pointing to timing rather than any political motive.
Indian giant IndiGo is the third new Heathrow long-haul airline
India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, will also begin nonstop services between Mumbai and London Heathrow on 26 October, expanding its UK footprint as part of an ongoing long-haul growth strategy.
The route marks the airline’s second destination in the country following the launch of Mumbai–Manchester earlier this year.
Flights will operate daily using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner wet-leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
The aircraft is configured in two classes: a standard economy cabin and the carrier’s new premium product, IndiGoStretch.
Flight 6E 0001 departs Mumbai at 14:45, arriving at Heathrow at 19:20 the same day. The return service, Flight 6E 0002, leaves Heathrow at 21:30, touching down in Mumbai at 11:45 the following morning (all times local).
The Mumbai–Heathrow connection is seen as a key milestone in IndiGo’s global expansion, linking India’s financial capital directly to the UK capital.
Heathrow’s additional new winter routes
Heathrow Airport also continues to strengthen its long-haul network with several new routes from existing operators.
From 6 November, Saudia will operate flights to Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic begins services to Cancun, Mexico, from 26 October. And Lufthansa’s Munich flights will now operate under the Lufthansa City brand.
“Even with limited capacity, our growing route network – the second-highest number of long-haul carriers of any European airport for the W25 season – demonstrates the strength of our operations and the dedication of our teams,” the airport said.
“These achievements underscore the need for expanded capacity to meet future demand and maintain the UK’s global competitiveness.”
Featured image: Riyadh Air
