A NEW airline partnership with Delta will soon make flying to the Middle East more accessible. Riyadh Air, a Saudi Arabian carrier, hopes to take on passengers in 2025 with the help of multiple collaborative partnerships, including Delta . The "digital native" carrier, founded in March 2023, will provide standard airline services.
"Our ambition is to launch our first flight in 2025 and put Riyadh Air at the cutting edge of digital technology and innovation within the aviation industry," Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air's chief financial officer, said in a press statement . He added that they're "adopting the best international sustainability and safety practices to deliver an exceptional travel experience for our guests locally and internationally." Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudia Arabia's main investment arm, owns the airline.
The investing company, which expanded its travel ventures to boost the country's tourism, is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. While the airline's first passenger-carrying flight is a year out, it has already formed valuable partnerships with high-profile airlines and other companies. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement that the "strategic agreement" will bolster premium offerings across North America and Saudi Arabia.
"This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta's mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits, and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi.