What does the future hold for Riyadh Air as it prepares to launch operations? The airline has secured slots for 15 destinations from Riyadh during the northern summer 2026 season, marking a significant step in its operational rollout.
Riyadh Air has requested and been allocated 5,591 slot movements for the summer 2026 scheduling period. The initial destinations include major cities such as Amman, Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Islamabad, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Manila, Mumbai, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
With an ambitious goal to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, Riyadh Air is positioning itself as a key player in the aviation market. The airline began limited operational readiness flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow in late 2025, although these flights were restricted to employees of the airline and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and their families.
Currently, 12 of the 15 routes listed are already served by other airlines from Riyadh, with Saudi flag carrier Saudia operating all 12 of those routes. Riyadh Air has officially confirmed flights to Cairo, Dubai, and London Heathrow when it starts regular operations.
Riyadh Air has placed orders for 39 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with options for 33 more, as well as orders for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s and 60 A321neos. This substantial fleet investment indicates the airline’s commitment to expanding its reach.
However, the timing of Riyadh Air’s network rollout could be affected by geopolitical developments, particularly as regional tensions escalate following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Additionally, the airline’s timetable for starting regular passenger flights has already been impacted by aircraft delivery delays.
As of March 15, 2026, Riyadh Air’s online booking platform is not yet open to the public, leaving many details about its operations still unconfirmed. The fact that a destination appears in the ACL report does not guarantee it will be operated, highlighting the uncertainties that remain.
In the words of Tony Douglas, “I think you’ve got more chance by being collaborative than critical,” suggesting a focus on cooperation in the competitive airline industry.
