In a strategic bid to tap into India’s vast aviation market, startup carrier Riyadh Air (RX) is set to explore potential partnerships with the country’s leading airlines, IndiGo and Air India, CEO Tony Douglas said on Tuesday.
“We are in touch with both the airlines in India for a strategic partnership,” Douglas said during his media interaction on the first day of his three-day visit to India. Riyadh Air plans to start commercial flights later this year with at least three aircraft.
In addition to engaging with the two airlines, the Riyadh Air delegation will also meet with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Saudi Arabian Embassy to secure the necessary approvals to launch operations in the region.
The new deal plan follows earlier collaborations in which Riyadh Air aligned with global carriers—including Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and Air China among others—to broaden its network and enhance connectivity between Saudi Arabia and international destinations through potential code-sharing and interline agreements.
Moreover, the partnership will explore additional avenues of commercial collaboration—such as offering mutual benefits for frequent flyer members, expanding cargo services, and enhancing customer experience and digital innovation—to lay the groundwork for a more comprehensive, long-term strategic alliance.
“As the world’s first digital native airline, we are dedicated to partnering with entities across a variety of aviation stakeholders in India to create a sustainable, prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship that delivers exceptional travel experiences,” Douglas said.
The airline is poised to capitalise on the growing influx of tourists travelling from India to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Tourism Authority aims to attract 7.5 million visitors from India annually by the end of the decade, with data revealing a 50% increase in Indian travellers to Saudi Arabia in 2023, surpassing 1.5 million.
The airline plans to launch operations later this year and is eyeing India as one of its largest markets. Douglas noted that Indians make up the second-largest group of its employees after Saudis, saying, “After Saudis, Indians are our second biggest nationality of employees. In the last two years, we have received 1.4 million applications from 146 nationalities of which 52% are women. India is one of the biggest source countries for the applications,” he said. The carrier currently has one aircraft and 500 employees, including 36 cabin crew and pilots each. The upcoming full service airline has ordered up to 132 aircraft, Airbus A321neos and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
It is also in talks with both Boeing and Airbus for placing orders for ultra long range wide bodies with the choice being between the B777 9X and A350-1000.
The carrier aims to connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations globally by 2030, as per its website.