What does the future hold for Riyadh Air as it prepares to expand its operations? The airline has secured slots for 15 destinations from Riyadh during the northern summer 2026 season, indicating a significant step forward in its operational plans.
Riyadh Air requested and was allocated 5,591 slot movements for the summer 2026 scheduling period. 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.
By 2030, Riyadh Air aims to serve more than 100 destinations, showcasing its ambitious growth strategy. 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.
Riyadh Air has 39 Boeing 787-9 aircraft on firm order, with options for 33 more, alongside orders for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s and 60 A321neos. Despite this growth, 12 of the 15 routes listed are currently served by other airlines from Riyadh, primarily by the Saudi flag carrier Saudia.
While Riyadh Air has officially confirmed flights to Cairo, Dubai, and London Heathrow when it starts regular operations, the timing of its network rollout could be affected by geopolitical developments. Regional tensions continue to escalate following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.
As of March 15, 2026, Riyadh Air’s online booking platform is not yet open to the public. The fact that a destination appears in the ACL report does not guarantee it will be operated, highlighting the uncertainties surrounding the airline’s future.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timing of the airline’s full operational launch, as its timetable for starting regular passenger flights has already been impacted by aircraft delivery delays. Tony Douglas, a key figure in the airline, emphasized the importance of collaboration in navigating these challenges, stating, “I think you’ve got more chance by being collaborative than critical.”
