Virgin Atlantic has signed a partnership agreement with Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air, which is due to launch next year.
They plan to expand connectivity and premium travel between London, Saudi Arabia and beyond.
The airlines signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding at Riyadh Air’s headquarters on Tuesday for a long-term relationship that will include interline and codeshare connectivity, and ‘a potentially deeper partnership that could encompass loyalty benefits’.
Riyadh Air will begin operations in 2025, based in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh.
Virgin Atlantic has just announced a new service between Heathrow and Riyadh.
Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said: “Following on from the announcement of our new services from London to Riyadh, we’re committed to working with the best partners in the region, to ensure our first route to Saudi Arabia delivers choice to our customers. We’re looking forward to working closely with Riyadh Air as they embark on their journey into the skies.”
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said: “Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic will help us collectively provide additional connectivity to the Kingdom. Riyadh Air has signed agreements with a number of strong global partners around the world, most recently Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic’s network will assist our growth to and from Saudi Arabia as we enter service in summer 2025.”
