Saudi Arabia-based upcoming airline Riyadh Air is looking for partnerships with domestic carriers such as Air India or IndiGo, said Riyadh Air Chief Executive Tony Douglas.
The airline is set to fly to more than 100 destinations by 2030 and increase Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP growth by $20 billion and directly and indirectly create more than 200,000 new jobs globally and locally.
According to Douglas, the airline representatives will meet IndiGo and Air India leadership to discuss possible codeshare agreements.
In aviation parlance, a codeshare agreement allows airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights to provide passengers with a wider choice of destinations.
Presently, Riyadh Air has tied up with global airlines such as Delta, Turkish, Singapore, China Eastern, Saudia, Air China, EgyptAir and Virgin Atlantic.
“Only northeastern Europe and India regions are left for us to find a partner. This is a big gap, and we intend to make a win-win partnership with either Air India or IndiGo,” Douglas said.
“I know both Campbell (Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD Air India) and Pieter (Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo). They are industry veterans, and I believe they will see the potential in a partnership with Riyadh Air. We hold both the Indian carriers in the highest regard.”
Notably, Riyadh Air, will launch operations later this year, with India slated to be one of the first destinations where the airline intends to operate flights.
Even though the airline has firm plans for India operations, Douglas, however, did not disclose the launch date or the first destination that Riyadh Air plans to service.
Enhance connectivity
The airline is poised to significantly enhance connectivity and growth opportunities between the two nations, with India expected to become Saudi Arabia’s top tourism source market by 2030.
In terms of bilateral flying rights, Douglas said, “We are not using anywhere near the limit on the existing bilateral. So there is plenty of headroom in what the 2019 was previously agreed.”
The bilateral, in aviation parlance, refers to equitable traffic rights (passenger ferrying quotas per airline) that are allocated under an air service agreement between two countries.
“India has long been a crucial part of Riyadh Air’s network planning ahead of our operations launch. India is a beautiful nation that will play a big part in the success story of our airline, as travel and business opportunities multiply with the expanded offerings we are set to provide.”
“Beyond connecting people, fostering economic growth, and enhancing and diversifying the Saudi Arabian and Indian tourism sectors, Riyadh Air’s network will help develop even stronger bonds between the two great countries.”
Besides, India is expected to become Saudi Arabia’s top tourism source market by 2030.
The Saudi Tourism Authority aims to welcome 7.5 million visitors from India per annum by the close of the decade.
As per statistics, the number of Indians travelling to Saudi Arabia increased by 50 percent in 2023 to more than 1.5 million following a series of strategic initiatives.
