Tourism Breaking News
Speaking with TravelTV Middle East, Vincent Coste Chief Commercial Officer Riyadh Air shared that after decades Riyadh Air is the biggest start up airline in the region and scheduled to launch operations by Q2 2025. Coste stated, “we are planning to operate to over 100 destinations by 2030, it will be the G20 capitals of the world as well as a good balance of destinations from all across the world, from Americas to Middle East to Far East. When it comes to our business model, we don’t want to be a mega connector as we already have the connection from Saudia but just to connect the Kingdom to the rest of the world to the Kingdom. We are the second national carrier for Saudi Arabia, we will have two hubs both Riyadh and Jeddah. We will be working very closely with Saudia.” He reiterated the importance of travel agents for Riyadh Air as well as other channels of connection.
On the first day of the Dubai Airshow Riyadh Air unveiled the second of its permanent dual-livery designs. The latest livery continues Riyadh Air’s indigo theme with striking lines inspired by the twisting canopies of traditional Bedouin tents and elegant curves of Arabic calligraphy. The bold new look features a sweeping cockpit window design, with the indigo signature theme contrasted beautifully against a light unique iridescent fuselage that reflects purity and the future-focused vision of Saudi Arabia.
With a vision to shape the future of air travel, Riyadh Air unveiled its first livery at the Paris Airshow in June this year having previously received its IATA Airline Designator Code (RX) as well as signing a major deal for 90 GEnx engines to power its fleet following a significant order of up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners made in March.
The super-sophisticated second livery will see Riyadh Air aircraft adorned in a lavender and indigo paint featuring a feather-like design near the rear of the fuselage, and ‘Riyadh Air’ written in English and Arabic and the airline’s trademark logo on the tail, engines, and aircraft underbelly. The second livery reflects Saudi Arabia’s forward-thinking ambitions using iridescent color to add a modern twist to the innovative design, which along with intricate bold text, makes Riyadh Air instantly recognizable, whether on the ground or in the skies.
Launched in March 2023 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Riyadh Air aims to become the world’s most forward-thinking carrier embracing the best sustainability practices, elevating air travel and setting a new standard for reliability, comfort, and hospitality. As a catalyst for the National Transport and Logistics Strategy playing a key role in contributing to Saudi Arabia’s wider economic diversification and jobs creation, toward realizing Vision 2030 goals, Riyadh Air is set to fly to more than 100 destinations, contribute to KSA non-oil GDP growth by USD 20 billion and directly and indirectly creating over 200,000 new jobs globally and locally.
Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air, said the second livery is another statement of intent from the new airline, “As the largest start-up in commercial aviation in decades we are delighted to unveil to the world Riyadh Air’s second livery which will be unmistakable when it takes to the skies in 2025 as we become one of the first international carriers to have permanent dual-liveries on an active fleet.”
“Following our initial launch in March we have had exceptional progress hitting a number of major milestones for the brand through an obsessive eye for detail, digital-native mindset and commitment to embracing the industry’s sustainability best practices. We revealed our first livery reveal to global acclaim, announced fleet orders for our wide body aircraft and signed several ground-breaking new partnerships. This iconic second livery is the latest milestone for Riyadh Air as we shape and disrupt the future of air travel and aviation, with many more things to come,” he added.
Alongside the much-anticipated unveiling of the latest livery design, Riyadh Air will be hosting guests, partners, stakeholders and VIPs at its 350sqm pavilion at Dubai Airshow. The digital-first experience will showcase more about Riyadh Air’s ambitions and future plans as it ushers in a new era for the travel and aviation industry, unlocking KSA’s most beautiful cultural and natural attractions and positioning KSA as a world-class logistics and travel hub.
