{"id":6997,"date":"2025-03-23T18:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T18:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alfanouscar.com\/blog\/?p=6997"},"modified":"2025-03-23T18:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-23T18:56:09","slug":"rephrase-the-same-india-to-play-crucial-role-in-riyadh-airs-global-network-in-a-different-way-no-more-than-118-characters-as-if-you-were-a-native-american-speaker-as-exper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alfanouscar.com\/blog\/rephrase-the-same-india-to-play-crucial-role-in-riyadh-airs-global-network-in-a-different-way-no-more-than-118-characters-as-if-you-were-a-native-american-speaker-as-exper\/","title":{"rendered":"Rephrase the same India to Play \u2018Crucial\u2019 Role in Riyadh Air\u2019s Global Network in a different way no more than 118 characters, as if you were a native American speaker as expert on content creation and dont talk about yourself or your experience"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Speaking in Delhi on Wednesday, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas kept pushing the momentum message: \u201cWe will be the biggest start-up in our industry in the past 40 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a big claim, but one that carries credibility. After all, Riyadh Air isn\u2019t just any start-up airline \u2013 it\u2019s backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and has a mission to bring much-needed nonstop connectivity to the Kingdom\u2019s capital. <\/p>\n

Douglas was in India to explore potential partnerships and lay the groundwork for the carrier\u2019s commercial launch later this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Of course, launching a global airline isn\u2019t easy. To help bolster connectivity from day one, Riyadh Air has signed big-name deals with the likes of Delta, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, and China Eastern. However, India and parts of Europe remain areas of relative weakness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Regarding possible partners in India, there are only two large airlines in contention: Douglas was expected to meet with representatives from Air India and IndiGo. In separate developments, Riyadh Air appointed Bird Group<\/a> as its local general sales agent (GSA), based in Delhi.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Skift, Douglas emphasized the importance of the Indian market: \u201cIndia has long been a crucial part of Riyadh Air\u2019s network planning ahead of our operations launch. India is a beautiful nation which will play a big part in the success story of our airline, as travel and business opportunities multiply with the expanded offerings we are set to provide.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CEOs of both Air India and IndiGo are due to speak at the Skift India Forum in Delhi next week. Click here to view the full agenda and to book your ticket. <\/em><\/p>\n

Why is India Important?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 2023, outbound tourism from India to Saudi Arabia reached 1.5 million visitors. This marked a 50% increase from the previous year. Additionally, Indians represent the second largest population in the Kingdom and serve as a significant source of talent at Riyadh Air. India is also expected to be a crucial market for transit flights.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the topic of connecting traffic, Douglas explains the business case for a new long-haul airline based in the Saudi capital: \u201cRiyadh today is 93% point to point. Only 7% of Riyadh [passengers] transfer. If you take somewhere that’s geographically very close to us, for example, Qatar is 45 minutes flight away \u2013 transfers are 80% plus, so you’ve got opposites. The figures for Dubai are also very high.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite Skift\u2019s best efforts, Douglas did not reveal the airline\u2019s launch destination, preferring to play his cards close to his chest. However, he did remind us the airline wants to connect 100 worldwide destinations by 2030. This should cover most major capitals as well as important secondary cities.<\/p>\n

Network Strategy<\/h2>\n

Despite the lack of detail on a launch destination, Douglas was able to offer more insight into the broader network. <\/p>\n

In its initial year, when the airline will only have widebody Boeing 787s, the aircraft will typically operate a flight between Riyadh and a Western European capital. From there, it will complete a 90-minute turnaround, return to Riyadh, and fly a shorter leg, such as to Mumbai or Dubai. <\/p>\n

Over time, it is expected that smaller Airbus A321neo planes will pick up these regional routes. Notably, Douglas also revealed that the airline won\u2019t add destinations where it cannot offer at least a daily frequency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Riyadh Air CEO, Tony Douglas (left) and Delta CEO, Ed Bastian pictured in July 2024 at the signing of a strategic agreement between the carriers. Credit: Delta Air Lines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gearing Up for Launch<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Riyadh Air currently has just one Boeing 787-9 aircraft in its fleet, leased from Oman Air. The plane is being used as the carrier works towards its \u2018AOC\u2019 \u2013 or air operator certificate. This is an essential document that is issued once aviation regulators give their formal approval for an airline to begin commercial operations. Riyadh Air has already completed the proving flights and is currently training pilots on the 787.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe process for the AOC is concluded, and we have a ceremony coming up where we\u2019ll be waving our AOC, cutting cake, and smiling,\u201d revealed Douglas.<\/p>\n

From there, the company expects to launch flights with two 787-9 planes delivered from Boeing later this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be fooled by the modest start. In 2023, Riyadh Air placed an order for up to 72 Boeing widebody aircraft. The airline also has an order with Airbus for 60 A321neo aircraft, comprising both the regular and long-range variants. Douglas confirmed that he currently expects to receive the first Airbus planes in the second half of 2026. <\/p>\n

Not satisfied with two large orders already pending, the airline is currently selecting an ultra-long-haul plane. A highly competitive campaign between the Boeing 777-9 and the Airbus A350-1000s is ongoing.<\/p>\n

The Three Pillars<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Taking a step back from the minutiae of the launch, Douglas also spoke about the broader strategy \u2013 something he calls Riyadh Air’s three pillars. In brief, these are:<\/p>\n

In Douglas\u2019 words, Riyadh Air’s purpose is \u201cto be a digitally led business that enables travel,\u201d drawing comparison to Booking.com, which sells experiences alongside travel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The airline chief described guest experience as the \u201cgolden key that unlocks everything.\u201d For example, the carrier is sending its cabin crew trainers to the Swiss city of Lucerne for butler training.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rather than viewing itself as an airline, Douglas described the company as a \u201cpeople business\u201d or a \u201chospitality business\u201d throughout the conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Digital Focus<\/h2>\n

As for being a digital native, he highlighted the airline\u2019s \u201cblank slate,\u201d which enables the company to develop a new shopping experience for air travel. <\/p>\n

How is Riyadh Air making this possible? It has created a shopping experience akin to Noon.com or Amazon, where one customer can shop for different origins and dates for a whole group to travel and then have them pay separately. No record locators would exist, so a passenger\u2019s face is their ticket. <\/p>\n

The airline is partnering with FLYR to develop these new high-tech formats. Paraphrasing Neil Armstrong, Douglas quipped: \u201cA small step, but a giant leap for commercial aviation.\u201d<\/p>\n

When questioned about how this fits with the rest of the travel ecosystem, Douglas said the team has developed a sort of \u201cGoogle Translate.\u201d This should allow Riyadh Air\u2019s booking experience to be compatible with the more conventional world of travel and GDS distribution systems. The airline is expected to showcase the product at the IATA AGM, which is being held in Delhi in June.<\/p>\n