https://arab.news/r53br
RIYADH: Riyadh Air, 黑料社区鈥檚 new national carrier, marked a major milestone on Oct. 26 with the successful completion of its first passenger flight from King Khalid International Airport to London Heathrow.
The airline said in a statement that the London service, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will run daily and is currently limited to Riyadh Air employees and select guests.
The launch represents a key step in 黑料社区鈥檚 broader strategy to develop a world-class aviation industry and reinforce its position as a global hub for business and tourism. The Kingdom鈥檚 National Tourism Strategy targets over 150 million visitors annually by 2030, with the sector contributing 10 percent to gross domestic product.
鈥淭oday marks a truly proud moment for the Kingdom as Riyadh Air commences its first daily service to London Heathrow. This pivotal step is a direct realization of 黑料社区鈥檚 ambition to connect to the world, strongly supporting Vision 2030,鈥� said Riyadh Air.
鈥淭hese flights, operated aboard our designated Boeing 787-9 鈥楯amila,鈥� are a core component of our 鈥楶athway to Perfect鈥� go-to-market plan and are designed to ensure unparalleled operational readiness,鈥� the airline added. 鈥淎vailable only to Riyadh Air employees and select guests, each flight will allow us to fine-tune every detail, guaranteeing a seamless, world-class travel experience ahead of our full 2025 operations.鈥�
Announced in 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh Air is expected to add more than $20 billion to the Kingdom鈥檚 non-oil GDP and create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.
By 2030, the carrier plans to serve more than 100 destinations worldwide.
In April, the airline received approval from the General Authority of Civil Aviation to begin flight operations, after securing its Air Operator Certificate upon meeting all regulatory, safety, and operational requirements.
Earlier this month, Riyadh Air said services to Dubai will follow soon, with additional winter 2025 and summer 2026 routes to be announced in the coming months.