Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas has called Saudi Arabia’s lack of direct flights to major global cities “haram”, which is an Arabic phrase which means “forbidden”.
Speaking at the PIF Private Sector Forum, he highlighted how Saudi travelers have to rely on foreign airlines to fly from Riyadh to major cities, including Tokyo, Sydney, and Shanghai.
With Riyadh Air’s plan to connect 100 cities by 2030, Tony Douglas has promised to transform Riyadh into a much anticipated global aviation hub.
Tony Douglas’s Powerful Statement
Saudi Arabia’s aviation landscape is on the brink of a revolutionary transformation, spearheaded by the ambitious plans of Riyadh Air.
In a recent address, the airline’s CEO Tony Douglas delivered a passionate critique of the Kingdom’s current air travel limitations, emphasizing the urgent need for change with a powerful refrain: “Haram. Haram. Haram.”
The Context of the Statement
Tony Douglas’s use of the term “haram” at the PIF Private Sector Forum was a deliberate and powerful choice. In the Islamic context, “haram” denotes something forbidden or unacceptable.
By applying this term to Saudi Arabia’s lack of direct global flights, Douglas underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for change.
Highlighting Key Destinations
Douglas specifically mentioned the inability to travel directly from Riyadh to major global cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul, and Sydney. This list of destinations emphasizes the gap in connectivity to key Asian-Pacific markets, which are crucial for business and tourism.
Premium Passenger Statistics
One of the most striking revelations from Douglas’s speech was the statistic regarding Saudi travelers’ air travel of foreign airlines. He pointed out that Saudi passport holders are the number one premium passengers (business and first class) for Qatar Airways and the third-largest group for Emirates.
These figures underscore the significant market share that Saudi travelers represent in the premium travel segment.
Personal Experience as Evidence
To drive his point home, Douglas shared his own experience of having to fly with Emirates to attend an international event in Miami. This personal anecdote serves as a tangible example of the inconvenience faced by travelers, including high-ranking executives, due to the lack of direct flights from Saudi Arabia.
Economic Leakage
The high number of Saudi travelers using foreign airlines represents a form of economic leakage. Instead of contributing to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, these passengers are inadvertently supporting the economies and airlines of neighboring countries.
This situation highlights the missed opportunity for Saudi Arabia to capture and retain this valuable market segment.
Implications for National Pride
Beyond the economic considerations, the reliance on foreign carriers touches on issues of national pride and self-sufficiency.
For a country of Saudi Arabia’s stature and ambitions, the inability to provide direct international connections for its citizens can be seen as a shortcoming in national infrastructure and capability.
The Need for Change
These statistics serve as a powerful argument for the development of a robust national carrier capable of meeting the needs of Saudi travelers.
They illustrate not just a business opportunity, but a national imperative to provide better service to Saudi citizens and retain the economic benefits of their travel within the Kingdom.
Riyadh Air’s Ambitious Plan
Riyadh Air’s plan to connect 100 cities by 2030 is a bold and ambitious strategy aimed at addressing Saudi Arabia’s connectivity challenges.
This vision aligns with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global hub for trade, tourism, and innovation.
Strategic Expansion
The plan involves a strategic expansion of routes, focusing on key global destinations that are currently underserved by direct flights from Saudi Arabia. This expansion will likely prioritize major business and tourism centers across Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa.
Fleet Development
To achieve this ambitious goal, Riyadh Air will need to develop a substantial and modern fleet. This will likely involve significant investments in new aircraft, potentially including long-range models capable of serving distant international destinations without the need for layovers.
Economic Impact
The successful implementation of this plan could have far-reaching economic benefits for Saudi Arabia. It has the potential to boost tourism, facilitate international business, create jobs in the aviation sector, and contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s GDP.
Riyadh: Global Aviation Hub
Riyadh’s geographical position offers a natural advantage for becoming a global aviation hub. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the city is well-positioned to serve as a connecting point for international travelers.
Competing with Established Hubs
To transform Riyadh into a global aviation hub, Riyadh Air will need to compete with well-established hubs in the region, such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. This competition will drive improvements in service quality, transit facilities, and overall passenger experience.
Integration with Local Tourism
The development of Riyadh as an aviation hub should be integrated with efforts to promote local tourism. This could include offering stopover programs, city tours for transit passengers, and seamless connections to other Saudi destinations.
Transforming Saudi Aviation
Tony Douglas’s bold statement at the PIF Private Sector Forum has set the stage for a transformative period in Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry.
The ambitious plans of Riyadh Air, if successfully implemented, have the potential to reshape not just the Kingdom’s air connectivity, but its entire economic and global positioning.
More Riyadh Air Ventures
Riyadh Air Partnership with LIV Golf
Riyadh Air has signed a multi year partnership with LIV Golf to become its official partner ahead of the 2025 season.
Announced by the CEOs of both companies, the deal includes sponsorship, branding, and hospitality across LIV Golf’s global events.
This collaboration highlights Riyadh Air’s commitment to sports, innovation, and global connectivity.
Riyadh Air’s Airbus 321neo Aircraft Order
The PIF backed Riyadh Air placed an order for 60 Airbus A321neo Aircraft at the Future Investment Initiative held in Riyadh.
The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best selling A320neo Family. The new order will make Riyadh Air one of the most fuel efficient airlines in the world as well as offering reduced noise and increased passenger comfort.
Riyadh Air, which is set to launch in 2025, supports Saudi Arabia’s aviation goals and aims to become one of the top global airlines by 2030, InshaAllah.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid’s iconic football stadium will now be named The Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the next 9 years after Riyadh Air secured the naming rights.
The partnership is aimed to boost the visibility and reach of Riyadh Air, which is set to launch in 2025, InshaAllah.
The new partnership aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to attract 150 million tourists annually to the kingdom.
Riyadh Air’s Non Commercial Flights
Riyadh Air has begun Non Commercial Flights in preparation for its 2025 official debut.
Its inaugural flight, RX5001, traveled from Riyadh to Jeddah as part of the process to obtain its Air Operator Certificate.
By 2030, Riyadh Air intends to serve more than 100 destinations, connecting Riyadh globally. The airline aims to contribute $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and create 200,000 jobs, supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Riyadh Air Partnership with Virgin Atlantic
Riyadh Air and Virgin Atlantic have signed a strategic agreement to boost travel and premium connections between London and Saudi Arabia.
The collaboration is set to bring several advantages, such as better customer service, new travel destinations, and loyalty perks.
Riyadh Air will begin operations in 2025 and support Saudi Vision 2030’s objective of expanding international tourism to Riyadh.
Riyadh Air Partnership with Noon Payments
Riyadh Air, scheduled to begin operations in 2025 Insha’Allah, has partnered with PIF-owned Noon Payments to improve digital payment services for its passengers, ensuring a secure and smooth travel experience.
This collaboration seeks to offer top-tier passenger services with various payment methods, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.
FIFA Concacaf’s Official Airline Partner
Riyadh Air, due to begin operations in 2025, has been named FIFA’s Concacaf Official Airline Partner.
This long-term agreement will expand Riyadh Air’s global presence, offering travelers connections to football events throughout North and Central America.
By 2030, Riyadh Air aims to serve more than 100 destinations, aligning with the Riyadh Expo 2030.
This partnership comes after Riyadh Air’s earlier collaboration with the Athlético de Madrid football club.
Riyadh Air and Delta Airlines Partnership
Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines have agreed on a Strategic Cooperation MoU to improve travel links between Saudi Arabia and the US with a planned codeshare agreement.
This collaboration is set to provide several advantages for travelers moving between North America and Saudi Arabia, and increase flight options between the two nations.
Riyadh Air is set to begin operations in 2025, helping Saudi Arabia meet its target of 300 million air passengers by 2030.
Partnership with Atletico Madrid
Riyadh Air has entered into a significant sports sponsorship agreement with the widely recognized Atletico Madrid Football Team.
This partnership aims to capitalize on Atletico Madrid’s widespread fame and global fan following to promote the Riyadh Air brand on a global scale and contribute to the Saudi Aa’s Vision 2030 objectives of boosting tourism in the country.
Riyadh Designers Uniform
Riyadh Air has ambitious plans to transform the airline sector by launching staff uniforms created by renowned designers.
More information on this can be expected in the upcoming year. CEO Tony Douglas guarantees groundbreaking developments, including a unique passenger experience, the removal of first class, and a premium economy that will surpass the business classes of its competitors.
Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines Partnership
Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines have signed an MoU to improve travel advantages for passengers traveling between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
This deal permits a code-sharing agreement and enables travelers to exchange loyalty points between the two airlines. Additionally, the deal allows for smooth connectivity through Istanbul Airport to over 130 destinations globally.
Riyadh Air and Lucid Air Partnership
Riyadh Air, entirely owned by the Public Investment Fund, has collaborated with Lucid Motors. In the announcement, Riyadh Air also showcased a striking double-livery design on two Lucid Air cars.
This alliance highlights their mutual dedication to pioneering and promoting sustainability in the realms of aviation and electric car manufacturing.
Riyadh Air Direct Flights To KSA
The CEO of Riyadh Air, Tony Douglas, has announced that their new airline in Saudi Arabia will primarily cater to the market of flights to and from the country. This is due to the Kingdom’s growing tourism industry, with plans to connect to over 100 destinations by 2030.
In contrast to regional giants such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, Riyadh Air aims to establish a strong local market presence rather than relying on transit passengers. This makes the airline a rising star in the Saudi Arabian sky.
Keep Reading: Riyadh Air Places Order for 60 Airbus 321neo Aircraft at Future Investment Initiative
