A NEW airline is set to start running flights from the UK with a fleet of 200 jets - but booze will be banned on board. The operator is understood to be "desperately keen" to start a programme of long-haul flights and is targeting a major airport. 2 Riyadh Air is reportedly looking to launch flights from the UK Credit: Riyadh Air 2 But CEO Tony Douglas confirmed that booze would not be sold on board Credit: Getty According to a report in The Telegraph , Saudi carrier Riyadh Air is eyeing up a gap in the UK market.
The firm was only founded in March last year but has already risen to the status of the Kingdom's second airline, behind only the government-owned Saudia. It is also, like most major companies in the country, financially linked to the state through the Public Investment Fund but it is headed up by British executive Tony Douglas. Mr Douglas, a former CEO of Etihad , said that Riyadh Air is now looking to set up a route between the UK and the Gulf.
READ MORE TRAVEL NEWS CITY LIVING I grew up near one of UK's top cities to live - my best pubs and attractions TAKE OFF Man who's flown on 170 airlines reveals little-known way to avoid cancellations The carrier has now completed many of the key stages of its application for a licence. Bosses are reportedly looking to seize a slot at the UK's busiest airport - London Heathrow. The application is aided by the fact that the airport has a number of slots reserved specifically for debut operators.
This would allow Brits to acce.