Thousands of people, including visitors, watched Riyadh Air, the new purple bird, fly over the Saudi Arbias Kingdom’s capital city yesterday.
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, symbolizes another emerging mega project in the world’s fastest development of travel and tourism.
Accompanied by Princess Haifa Al Saud, the Saudi Vice Minister of Tourism, and an excited Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas watched the first plane taking off, the purple way. Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air will begin operations in 2025
Saudi Arabia’s newest carrier, Riyadh Air, unveiled its colors and logos just a few days ago and was seen flying the skies of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
Saudi Arabia’s prominent position in global aviation is not new.
Founded in 1945 as the Kingdom’s National airline, prominent Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, changed its liberty to Gold. It now has an emerging giant as a new family member.
Saudia Airlines’ base is in Jeddah and is well known as a superior carrier for business and religious travelers to Jeddah and the Holy City of Mecca.
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new second national airline, debuted on Monday and showcased a low-level flight over Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia and the home base of Riyadh Air.
Riyadh Air will be taking advantage of the strategic location of Saudia Arabia, making Riyadh a global airline hub between west and east, and of course, south and north.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, seen over the skies of Riyadh, displays the new airline’s distinctive purple livery. Riyadh Air unveiled its new design last week, featuring a captivating combination of lavender and indigo colors.
The flight took off at approximately 1 PM local time and embarked on a low-level cruise from Boulevard Riyadh City to Al Murabba.
The Boeing Dreamliner showcased Riyadh Air’s new branding, flying past iconic landmarks such as the King Abdullah Financial District, the King Khalid Grand Mosque, the towering Kingdom Centre, and the impressive Al Faisaliah Tower.
Accompanying the aircraft was a jet from the Royal Saudi Air Force Display Team, Saudi Hawks.
The launch of Riyadh Air was announced in March 2023 by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, owns the airline.
The new carrier will be a dream to become true development for the kingdom’s striving travel and tourism industry.
It will also create stiff competition for neighboring countries that will have to compete with Saudi Arabia for the most attractive airline hub in the Gulf region. Emirates in Dubai, Ethiad in Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways in Doha are the most prominent carriers in the region at this time.
Air Riyadh has the power to create new markets and shift current behavior in global aviation.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will be the chairman. At the same time, Tony Douglas, a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in aviation, transportation, and logistics, has been appointed CEO.
The Riyadh Air Dream team will have both Saudi and international experts.
Our signature “canopy twist,” with its graceful, linear profiles, symbolizes the harmony between our rich local culture and modern global outlook.
The rear fuselage exhibits an innovative “canopy twist” pattern, while the country’s flag and the name “Riyadh Air” are prominently displayed in white, both in English and Arabic.
We look forward to welcoming you onboard #RiyadhAir in 2025.
Tony Douglas, CEO Riyadh Air
A senior executive of Saudi Arabian Airlines told eTurboNews that the original national carrier is equally excited to welcome Riyadh Air.
Jeddah-based Saudia is rapidly expanding with new destinations, aircraft, and record numbers.
