(Riyadh) — Saudi Arabia’s new flagship carrier, Riyadh Air, officially operated its inaugural flight connecting King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh to Manchester Airport (MAN). The new thrice-weekly direct service marks the airline’s second United Kingdom destination and expands its operational footprint to 14 international cities.
Expanding Middle East & European Connectivity
Operating a 290-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring four distinct cabin classes, the route runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Aviation officials highlighted that the Manchester connection caters to growing long-haul transit demand across Northern England while serving Saudi travelers, business executives, and students traveling to the UK.
Progress Toward Vision 2030 Goals
Wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air launched commercial passenger operations in June. The carrier is aggressively scaling its widebody fleet toward an overarching goal of reaching 100 global destinations across six continents by 2030.
