A lot of people are wondering how Riyadh Air and Saudia will co-exist, especially since both will have “flag carrier” status for Saudi Arabia. What sets their strategies apart? Just recently, new details and the strategy of Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s upcoming airline, have been made public. Tony Douglas, the CEO of the airline, has provided some insights into what the airline aims to achieve.
A Different Kind of Focus
Unlike its regional competitors, such as Qatar Airways and Emirates, Riyadh Air will not aim to become a global connecting hub. Instead, the airline plans to concentrate on increasing traffic to and from Saudi Arabia. Tony Douglas, who has experience as the former CEO of Etihad, confirms that this approach aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader tourism ambitions.
Investing in Tourism
Saudi Arabia has big plans for its tourism sector. As part of its “2030 Vision,” the country is investing over $100 billion in various tourism projects. The goal is to attract 100 million visitors annually by the end of the decade. New airports, expansions of existing ones, and the development of resorts and new cities are all part of this plan. Riyadh Air aims to contribute to this vision by focusing on bringing tourists directly into the country.
Fleet and Expansion Plans
Riyadh Air has aggressive growth plans for its fleet. The airline is considering the acquisition of at least 150 narrow-body aircraft, with the Boeing 737 MAX being a strong candidate. This is in addition to the 39 Boeing 787s that the airline ordered earlier this year. The goal is to serve up to 100 destinations by 2030. Some reports even suggest that the airline’s fleet could eventually include between 300 to 400 aircraft.
Saudia Airlines, the existing carrier, will continue to operate and will share the “Flag Carrier” status with Riyadh Air. Saudia will shift its focus towards serving the millions of religious pilgrims who visit Saudi Arabia each year. This is expected to improve connectivity and capacity for this specific type of tourism.
Riyadh Air has set its sights on specific goals and strategies that align with Saudi Arabia’s broader tourism and economic plans. The airline aims to contribute to the country’s “2030 Vision” by focusing on direct traffic to and from Saudi Arabia, rather than becoming another global hub.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
