Virgin Atlantic and Riyadh Air have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, with the goal of introducing an array of benefits for customers traveling between London, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and destinations beyond.
The agreement, signed yesterday at a ceremony at Riyadh Air’s Headquarters in Riyadh, is the first stage in the strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and enhance customer experience.
The agreement lays the foundations for a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, that includes interline and codeshare connectivity, as well as a potential deeper partnership which could encompass loyalty benefits.
The partnership will open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Virgin Atlantic customers, which includes its new service between London Heathrow and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented; “Following on from the announcement of our new services from London to Riyadh, we’re committed to working with the best partners in the region, to ensure our first route to Saudi Arabia delivers choice to our customers. We’re looking forward to working closely with Riyadh Air as they embark on their journey into the skies.”
Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO said: “Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic will help us collectively provide additional connectivity to the Kingdom. Riyadh Air has signed agreements with a number of strong global partners around the world, most recently Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic’s network will assist our growth to and from Saudi Arabia as we enter service in summer 2025.”
The new partnership aims to capitalise on the huge growth taking place as part of Saudi Vision 2030. Air travel between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia is forecast to grow 24% between 2019-2035 whilst annual trade between the UK and Saudi Arabia was worth £17.1 billion in 2023 with the ambition to reach £30 billion of trade by 2030. The new service will also connect family and friends with a recent fivefold increase in Saudis living in UK between 2000 and 2018.
Riyadh Air, which will begin operations in 2025, is committed to building a premier carrier for customers traveling to and from the Middle East, with its base of operations in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.