Saudi’s new Riyadh Air set to compete with Emirates, Qatar Airways
The airline is expected to better connect travelers to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions, create more than 200,000 jobs and add $20 billion to non-oil gross domestic product.
DUBAI — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced its new national carrier Riyadh Air on Sunday, which is expected to serve as a hub between Africa, Europe and Asia, and connect to over 100 global destinations by 2030.
The PIF, the full owners of the airline, stated that the goal of this airline over the years is to improve travelers' connection to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions, create more than 200,000 jobs and add $20 billion to non-oil gross domestic product.
At the helm of Riyadh Air will be former Etihad-CEO Tony Douglas, who started with the Abu Dhabi state carrier in 2018 but left in October of last year to pursue an unspecified opportunity, Reuters reported at the time.
Mr. Tony Douglas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of #RiyadhAir. He has more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation and logistics industries. pic.twitter.com/acqoeswIG5
