Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier based in Riyadh, will begin carrying passengers from July with the launch of its first regular commercial services. The airline has opened ticket sales for a daily Riyadh–London Heathrow route starting 1 July, using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, according to multiple industry reports.
The carrier has been preparing its debut by leasing a 787-9 to train pilots and cabin crews and to support its Air Operator Certificate process with the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation. The training aircraft, which arrived in Riyadh in mid-January, is also designated as a technical backup for early operations.
Riyadh Air plans to position King Khalid International Airport as its main hub and has announced ambitions to serve more than 100 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas in the coming years, primarily with a fleet of Boeing 787s. The launch of passenger services in July marks the transition from preparation and certification activities to scheduled commercial operations, beginning with the Riyadh–Heathrow link and a regional network expected to expand progressively.