Air India, Riyadh Air sign MoU to boost India-Saudi Arabia connectivity

Dhaka: Air India, the national airline of India, and Riyadh Air, the new national airline of Saudi Arabia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the groundwork for a strategic partnership aimed at expanding connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and key global destinations.

The MoU reflects the shared ambition of both premium carriers to leverage the geographical advantages of their respective hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh to improve global connectivity for travelers flying between the two countries and beyond.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the two airlines plan to introduce interline and codeshare arrangements, allowing passengers to travel seamlessly across both networks with a single booking and smoother onward connections through their respective hubs.

Air India and Riyadh Air will also explore collaboration in several areas, including reciprocal loyalty program benefits, cargo services, operational support, and digital and technology initiatives designed to enhance the overall passenger experience.

The partnership aims to capitalize on growing travel demand driven by business, tourism, and family visits, reflecting the strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, called it a natural partnership given the scale and momentum in both markets. He said the airline looks forward to combining complementary strengths to offer passengers more choice and elevated travel experiences across the combined network.

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, described India as one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world, calling the partnership a defining step in Riyadh Air's mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations.

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to 25 codeshare partnerships and over 120 interline agreements, providing passengers access to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.

Meanwhile, Riyadh Air has launched public sales for flights to London Heathrow, with inaugural services scheduled for July 1. The new route will offer Indian travelers seamless connections through Riyadh, opening a gateway to the United Kingdom and broader Europe.