Riyadh Air is accelerating its expansion across Europe with the launch of direct services to Manchester and the opening of bookings for a new route to Milan.
The airline inaugurated its three-times-weekly service between Riyadh and Manchester on 17 September, making the Northern English city its second destination in the United Kingdom and its 14th worldwide.
Flights to Milan will begin on 16 December and operate four times a week. The Italian city will become Riyadh Air’s fifth European destination and the 15th destination available for booking across its growing global network.
Together, the two routes demonstrate the strategic importance of Europe to the new Saudi carrier. They will support business, tourism, education and cultural exchange while giving European travellers improved access to Riyadh and onward destinations in Saudi Arabia and Asia.
Manchester becomes Riyadh Air’s second UK destination
The new Manchester service follows the launch of Riyadh Air’s London flights on 10 June 2026.
Inaugural flight RX0417 left King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 01:30 and arrived at Manchester Airport at 06:40 local time. The return service, RX0418, departed Manchester at 08:40 and arrived in Riyadh at 17:20.
Flights operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Manchester is Riyadh Air’s gateway to Northern England, providing access to major cities including Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield. The route will also appeal to visitors heading for the Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire, North Wales and Scotland.
For Saudi travellers, Manchester offers a combination of culture, commerce, education, shopping and sport. The city and its surrounding region are home to internationally recognised universities, football clubs, cultural institutions and business centres.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, described Manchester as an important gateway for passengers travelling between the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to fly on our modern, premium aircraft and experience genuine Saudi hospitality, known locally as Hafawa,” he said.
Connections to Saudi Arabia and Asia
The Manchester schedule has been designed to offer onward connections through Riyadh to Jeddah and a growing selection of Asian destinations, including Bangkok, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.
This connectivity could make the service particularly attractive to travellers from Northern England who would otherwise need to connect through London or another European or Gulf hub.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said Riyadh Air’s decision to select Manchester as one of its first European destinations reflected both the international appeal of Northern England and strong regional demand for long-haul travel.
The route has been developed in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program, which supports the objectives of the Kingdom’s National Tourism and Aviation Strategies.
Milan strengthens the European network
Riyadh Air’s next European development will be Milan, with direct flights beginning on 16 December.
The four-times-weekly route will connect two rapidly evolving centres of business, luxury, fashion, architecture and design.
Douglas said the opening of bookings for Milan represented another milestone in Riyadh Air’s expansion and would help strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Milan is one of Europe’s leading centres for finance, industrial design, luxury goods and fashion. Riyadh, meanwhile, is developing as a major international centre for business, investment, entertainment and culture under Saudi Vision 2030.
The route should therefore appeal to corporate travellers and professionals working in luxury, retail, architecture, hospitality and construction, as well as to leisure visitors.
Growing tourism between Italy and Saudi Arabia
The Milan service arrives amid increasing tourism exchanges between the two countries.
More than 300,000 Saudi travellers visited Italy in 2024, according to the Italian Ministry of Tourism. Direct flights will provide easier access to Milan and Northern Italy for Saudi visitors interested in culture, gastronomy, fashion and shopping.
In the opposite direction, the service will give Italian travellers direct access to the Saudi capital and its rapidly expanding collection of attractions, events and hospitality experiences.
Riyadh combines a contemporary urban landscape with important historic sites, including Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state. It is also emerging as a year-round destination for major sporting, entertainment, cultural and business events.
For European travel advisors, Manchester and Milan create new opportunities to package Riyadh as a standalone city break, a business and events destination, or the starting point for a wider journey through Saudi Arabia.
Premium Boeing 787 experience
Riyadh Air is operating its international services with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners featuring Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
The onboard product includes Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova entertainment system, mobile-first connectivity, wireless listening, enhanced seating and storage, elevated dining and Saudi-made Kayanee amenities.
Children receive bespoke Disney travel kits, while a five-sense wellness programme has been developed to help passengers arrive feeling refreshed.
Travellers can also join Sfeer, Riyadh Air’s lifestyle and loyalty programme. Its benefits include complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, no expiry of points and a “Best Offer Guarantee”.
The name Sfeer combines the Arabic word for “ambassador” with the English word “sphere”, reflecting Riyadh Air’s ambition to build a new international community of travellers around contemporary Saudi hospitality.
With Manchester now operational and Milan scheduled for December, Riyadh Air is rapidly extending its presence across Europe while building Riyadh’s role as a connecting hub between the continent, Saudi Arabia and Asia.
…
Read also: Etihad opens a new international gateway to The Red Sea
