Saudia airlines and Riyadh Air have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, heralding a new chapter of partnership, with both national carriers pledging to collaborate closely and enhance the Kingdom’s air travel ecosystem.
Announced in Dubai on 13 November, the memorandum marks the first significant pact between Saudia and the newly established Riyadh Air. It lays a robust groundwork for future cooperation and is a testament to the combined efforts to bolster the aviation landscape within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
The partnership is poised to offer an array of benefits to international and domestic passengers. Travellers will enjoy a seamless connection across the two airlines’ expansive networks, thanks to a comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement. This collaboration ensures that passengers can effortlessly transit between flights operated by either Saudia or Riyadh Air.
Moreover, the alliance extends to the airlines’ loyalty programs, allowing guests to accumulate points on codeshare flights, with a broader loyalty scheme in the pipeline that will enable points accrual and redemption, along with elite level benefits, across both carriers’ global networks.
“This is a historic moment where we join forces to serve guests travelling to and from the Kingdom,” said Saudia CEO, Capt. Ibrahim Koshy. “Saudia and Riyadh Air will positively disrupt the industry as a whole, and we are proud to sign this MOU that signifies our partnership intent.”
Riyadh Air CEO, Tony Douglas, shared his vision on the collaboration, saying, “The MOU signing of this strategic collaboration shows a solid statement of intent from both airlines. Riyadh Air and Saudia will play a significant part in the growth of travel tourism within the Kingdom, and having the national carriers working side-by-side is the best way to accelerate and manage this growth.”
The strategic cooperation transcends passenger services, with both national carriers committing to harmonize efforts across various business domains, including commercial activities, digital innovation, aviation support services, and cargo logistics. The alliance is also geared towards optimising routes and resources, expanding the range of destinations, and enhancing service offerings for passengers.
Douglas further expressed confidence in Riyadh Air’s potential to redefine air travel standards, stating, “We are confident that Riyadh Air will raise the bar in air travel and working in cooperation with Saudia will help us achieve this as we prepare for takeoff in 2025.”
The fruition of this strategic cooperation is expected to be a boon for Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism landscape, providing guests with enhanced travel options and a world-class flying experience.
Further details on the benefits for passengers booking flights with both airlines will be disclosed as Riyadh Air gears up to commence its operations in 2025, marking an exciting era of connectivity and growth for the Kingdom’s aviation industry.
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Article by Gérard Lefebvre
