Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new national carrier and a Public Investment Fund company, and Saudia have launched the first phase of their strategic cooperation agreement in the aviation sector, marking a milestone in domestic and international connectivity.
The move builds on a strategic memorandum of understanding signed at the Dubai Airshow 2023, which set out a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two airlines, including codeshare arrangements and loyalty-program benefits, in support of Saudi Vision 2030 goals for the aviation industry.
As part of this initial phase, Riyadh Air has integrated with Saudia’s passenger services system, enabling the carriers to operate a codeshare agreement across their technical platforms and offer guests broader, more seamless connectivity options, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Codeshare Expands Domestic, International Reach
Under the partnership, Riyadh Air will place its code (RX) on selected Saudia flights operating from its hub at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH) to six key domestic destinations: Abha (ABH), Al-Qassim (ELQ), Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED), Madinah (MED) and Tabuk (TUU). The arrangement is designed to strengthen air links across the Kingdom and extend the reach of both networks through codeshare connectivity.
The agreement gives Riyadh Air guests access to more diverse and streamlined travel options across both carriers. For instance, passengers traveling from Dammam will be able to continue via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while those arriving from Kuala Lumpur can connect smoothly through Riyadh to Madinah.
Smoother Connections, Single-Ticket Travel
By applying the RX code to Saudia’s daily flights between Riyadh and the six domestic cities, the airlines can better align connection windows with Riyadh Air’s arrival and departure schedules at King Khalid International Airport, offering more convenient and flexible itineraries.
With both carriers operating from Terminals 1 to 4, passengers on connecting flights will benefit from a smoother end-to-end experience, including single-ticket booking and through check-in of baggage to the final destination.
Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Air, said: “Integration between different technical environments has been a core principle in Riyadh Air’s digital model since inception, and this key first step in our collaboration with Saudia represents an important milestone for the aviation sector. By combining our strengths, we are redefining the travel experience within the Kingdom and for those traveling to it.”
Arvid Muhlin, Executive Vice President of Commercial at Saudia, said: “This step reflects the close cooperation between Saudia and Riyadh Air and our shared commitment to supporting the continued growth of the aviation sector in the Kingdom. The codeshare agreement will provide guests with broader options and better air connectivity within the Kingdom, along with new opportunities for connecting domestic and international flights. As this partnership evolves, we look forward to expanding these benefits to include more guests of both companies.”
Enhanced Benefits for Business Class, Frequent Flyers
Riyadh Air business class guests will gain access to Saudia lounges at domestic departure airports and when transferring to Saudia-operated domestic flights from Terminal 4 in Riyadh. They will also be eligible for priority security lanes and priority boarding on Saudia flights where available.
The airlines say this marks the start of a new phase in their strategic partnership, with plans to broaden cooperation to serve guests across the Kingdom and globally. In the coming months, reciprocal benefits for members of the “Safire” and “Alfursan” loyalty programs are expected, including points earning and redemption, plus lounge access for eligible members at key locations domestically and internationally.
Reciprocal Codeshare, Future Expansion
As Riyadh Air continues to grow its network, Saudia intends to place its code (SV) on selected Riyadh Air flights to destinations that offer Saudia guests wider connectivity and more flexible scheduling.
The integration follows three years of joint development and testing by Riyadh Air, Saudia and their technology partners FLYR, INK and Amadeus. With memoranda of understanding in place with nearly 15 airlines worldwide, Riyadh Air expects this digital capability to underpin future codeshare and interline partnerships with other carriers.
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