Lack of direct international flights from Riyadh unacceptable: Riyadh Air CEO

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air

Direct flights from Saudi capital Riyadh to Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul, Sydney, and other destinations are currently unavailable, said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, highlighting a difficulty to fly directly to certain destinations.

The top premium passengers on Qatar Airways business or first class are Saudi passport holders, Douglas said, during the PIF Private Sector Forum.

"This is completely unacceptable," he noted.

Saudi passport holders rank third among premium travelers on Emirates, too, he noted, indicating that Saudis have to use these airlines due to the lack of direct flight options to certain global destinations.

Douglas confirmed the company’s commitment to providing direct flights for Saudi citizens.

According to data available on Argaam, Riyadh Air signed an agreement in October 2024 to purchase 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft in preparation for the launch of its operations in 2025. The airline aims to operate flights at over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. Following its inception, Riyadh Air announced its first major fleet order, purchasing 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.