Riyadh Air confirms Cairo as third destination on its growing route map
February 26, 2026
Building on its arrival in London and Dubai last year, Riyadh Air is launching daily flights to the Egyptian capital, capitalising on one of the world’s busiest international corridors.
As it gears up for its official launch this year, Riyadh Air has added a daily flight from Riyadh to Cairo to its schedule.
The airline announced London Heathrow and Dubai among its launch destinations for 2025 and stated that the addition of a Riyadh-Cairo service “reflects high demand between the two capital cities”.
However, there is no confirmed launch date for these services. Instead, the airline has said that the “daily services will begin soon from Riyadh aboard its new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.”
Riyadh Air’s Cairo flights follow the launch of links to London and Dubai
The new carrier launched daily flights to London Heathrow and Dubai from the Saudi Arabian capital in October 2025. However, the “familiarisation flights” are not carrying typical fare-paying passengers. Instead, they are used for staff and crew training as well as for members of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Their purpose is to fine-tune onboard services and ground operations before the airline opens sales to the public.
The airline is preparing to accept delivery of new aircraft in the “coming weeks” with full commercial services to London, Dubai and Cairo expected to begin soon after. The airline has also said it will be revealing more destinations to its network imminently.
Significant demand for flights to Cairo
The addition of Cairo is in response to “immense demand”, with the city pair among the busiest in the world. In 2025, 2.7 million passengers flew between the two cities, aligning with the airline’s mission to connect Saudi Arabia with major global hubs. The airline plans to serve more than 100 airports across Asia, Africa, Europe and the US by 2030.
Riyadh Air will face its fair share of competition on its flights to the Egyptian capital. The route, which typically takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, is already served by a mix of legacy and low-cost carriers, including Saudia Airlines, EgyptAir, flynas, flyadeal and Air Cairo.
Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air’s CEO, said the launch of commercial services to the Egyptian capital marks the “true beginning” of connecting Riyadh to the world and vice versa.
“This route has been carefully selected to serve a key market that aligns with our ambition to become a global destination and a significant contributor to Vision 2030.”
Under Vision 2030, Riyadh is positioning itself as a dynamic hub for business, culture and tourism, serving as a gateway to the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and ambitious future. Meanwhile, Cairo offers a world-class tourist destination offering historical depth and a thriving business centre. Enriching its cultural landscape, the city has also recently opened the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Riyadh Air gears up for commercial launch with Hafawa Lounge opening
The confirmation of Cairo to its destination network follows a flurry of announcements from the new carrier. Earlier this month, Riyadh Air unveiled its Hafawa Lounge at King Khalid International Airport.
Designed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary studio Yabu Pushelberg, the lounge is deeply rooted in Saudi hospitality and cultural values. It spans nearly 2,000 sqm and can accommodate around 370 Business Elite and Business Class guests. Its opening marks another definitive step in Riyadh Air’s preparations for commercial launch.
Reiterating that design and innovation are integral to shaping the passenger experience, Mody Alkhalaf, director of Guest Experience at Riyadh Air, said, “Working with Yabu Pushelberg allowed us to bring together the traditional warmth of Saudi hospitality with contemporary, future-forward design to offer a space that supports comfort, emotional wellbeing and generosity throughout the journey.”
A lounge that exudes a sense of place
Inspired by the Saudi desert landscape, the lounge features a neutral palette of limestone, oak and textured plaster to establish a calm, atmospheric backdrop for passengers. Lighting has been carefully curated to transition throughout the day, echoing the natural rhythms of light in the desert – warm at dawn, cooler through midday, and warm again at dusk – with warm accents of peach, lavender and indigo (the airline’s brand colours) appearing at key moments.
Rather than a single open space, the lounge comprises a series of interconnected rooms linked to a central Pantry for informal dining and interaction. It also features spa-like bathrooms, garden-facing seating areas and private sleeping pods. “We envisioned the lounge as a home made up of distinct rooms,” explained George Yabu, co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg. “Each space has its own character and purpose, allowing guests to shape their own experience.”
The airline has also recently introduced its digital-first loyalty programme, Sfeer, and currently has up to 182 aircraft on order, including Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, Airbus A321neos, and A350-1000s.
Featured image: Riyadh Air
