Summary

  • Riyadh Air forms commercial partnership with Singapore Airlines, looking towards future codeshare agreement for extensive connectivity.
  • Aim to expand interline agreement to full codeshares and reciprocal earnings, deepening long-term strategic partnership.
  • Ambitious plans include launching in 2025, expanding to 100 destinations by 2030.

Riyadh Air has announced an agreement with Singapore Airlines to establish a commercial partnership, which may include a codeshare agreement in the future.

Howdy, partner

Riyadh Air is one of the world’s youngest airlines. Founded on March 12, 2023, the airline has not yet commenced operations but did reveal its first livery on a Boeing 787 at last year’s Dubai Air Show. Riyadh is led by Tony Douglas, formerly the CEO of Etihad Airways.

During the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, Riyadh Air announced it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will lead to a commercial partnership. On Sunday, Tony Douglas and Mr. Goh Choon Phong sat down and signed the agreement, which subject to regulatory approval, will begin with interline connectivity.

Riyadh Air Boeing 787 and Tony Douglas

Photo: Riyadh Air

The airlines also aim to expand on the interline agreement and eventually move to full codeshares and reciprocal earnings in the frequent flier programs. The announcement expressed that the goal is to have a deeper, long-term, strategic partnership. For the Saudi carrier, the agreement will be very beneficial when it launches in 2025 as it will be able to get its name into the Asian markets.

The airline’s detailed launch plans are unknown right now, but what is known is that Riyadh has ambitious goals, like expanding to 100 destinations by 2030. In doing so, Riyadh aims to help the country meet its goal of 150 million annual visitors by 2030. To reach that, the carrier already has an order for 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. No narrowbodies have been ordered, but the airline did confirm it is in discussions with Boeing and Airbus.

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“Our strategic partnership with Singapore Airlines unlocks significant benefits for our future guests as it grows our network in partnership with the World’s Best Airline. We see huge potential for strong connectivity in South East Asia and both Australia and New Zealand through the award-winning hub at Singapore Changi Airport, while also providing opportunities for westbound passengers to connect across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region on Riyadh Air. This relationship is a meaningful and deep cooperation that starts with a wide-ranging codeshare agreement and is expected to include a broad range of areas including digital and technology, loyalty and cargo.” – Tony Douglas

Singapore Airlines’ CEO called the partnership a win-win for both sides. Through the partnerships, Riyadh passengers will access Singapore Airlines’ network in Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific (including Australia and New Zealand), and on the flipside, Singapore Airlines passengers will access Riyadh’s network in the Middle East. The goal is to support business and tourism between the two nations.

Other agreements

The agreement with Singapore Airlines was not the first to be announced since Riyadh’s launch. In November of last year, the airline signed a codeshare and loyalty agreement with fellow Saudi carrier Saudia. The following month, Riyadh announced a similar agreement with Turkish Airlines. Before even having its first flight, Riyadh is already on the way to a good start and developing relationships worldwide.

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