Riyadh Airlines has announced a strategic partnership with British Virgin Atlantic Airlines. It will offer a range of benefits to passengers flying to and from the UK and the KSA.
Beyond that, the agreement aims to enhance air connectivity, expand networks, improve customer satisfaction, and facilitate travel to new destinations within and outside Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Airlines CEO reveals that the agreement offers an additional route linking the Kingdom to the world. Plus, it enhances travel options for visitors.
Likewise, Saudi Arabia’s air link programme and Virgin Atlantic Airlines have partnered to establish a direct air route between Riyadh and London. It allows daily flights between Heathrow and Riyadh starting in March 2021. This action is a part of the ongoing development of Saudi Arabian-British air travel.
Virgin Atlantic is the tenth airline to collaborate with the Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) since the program’s inception. Its goals are to connect the Kingdom to new international destinations and to increase the number of flights between the Kingdom and other countries. Above all, to develop both current and future air routes.
Notably, Saudi Arabia’s travel rates to Europe increased by 100% in the summer of 2024, according to Wego travel and tourism data. Britain was the most popular destination for Saudi tourists, accounting for 18% of total bookings, followed by Georgia at 15%.
Riyadh Air has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Delta Air Lines of America. To enhance its services for customers travelling to and from the Middle East and create a positive impression on them. This agreement will enable Riyadh Air to provide a diverse range of services between Saudi Arabia and North America.
Specifically, the long-term cooperative plan sought to enhance aviation connectivity, customer experiences, digital innovations, maintenance, repair, renewal services, aircraft ground services, and advanced training programmes.
The company celebrated the graduation of its first batch of 32 cabin crew trainees. It reaffirms its dedication to offering top-notch services on flights. Besides, it empowers staff members to improve the visitor experience, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s warm hospitality.
Remarkably, the Public Investment Fund is the exclusive owner of the international airline Riyadh Airlines. Its foundation was declared last year, with a formal debut date set for mid-2025. Furthermore, it has a state-of-the-art fleet of aircraft, outfitted with cutting-edge digital technologies. So, it will enable it to connect passengers in 2030 to over 100 destinations worldwide.
Particularly, the aviation industry in Saudi Arabia promises to grow, creating over 200,000 direct and indirect employment, and boosting the competitiveness of Saudi businesses. The non-oil GDP of the Kingdom will also be boosted by up to 75 billion riyals.
Virgin Atlantic, established in 1984, became the first British airline to receive five stars worldwide by APEX for seven consecutive years. The company has its headquarters in London. With 8,500 employees worldwide and year-round service to 30 locations across four continents.
Under the theme of “Enhancing the level of global connectivity,” the KSA hosted the Future of Aviation 2024 conference last May. During the conference, a total of 102 agreements, accords, and memorandums of understanding worth over 75 billion riyals had contracts signed. Along with offers to enable investment worth $100 billion in the Saudi aviation sector.
Additionally, over 8,500 professionals, executives, and airline firms, including Riyadh Airlines, attended the conference. High-level attendees included 31 ministers and 77 leaders of civil aviation agencies from 130 different countries.
By 2030, the National Aviation Strategy seeks to double air freight volume to 4.5 million tonnes. This will benefit 330 million people a year by connecting the Kingdom to more than 250 international locations. These are the objectives that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation system is working to accomplish.
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