Saudi Arabia’s brand-new flag carrier, Riyadh Air (RX), is spreading its wings! On January 23, 2025, the airline successfully operated its maiden test flight, jetting off from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh to Istanbul Airport (IST). With this milestone, Riyadh Air is cruising toward a bold future, aligning with the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative to redefine travel.
Riyadh Air Takes Off Its First Test Flight To Istanbul
Riyadh Air isn’t just aiming to be a player in aviation; it’s setting out to become a global game-changer. The airline plans to connect travellers to over 100 destinations by 2030, talk about a frequent flyer’s dream! With partnerships already in place with eight airlines, including Turkish Airlines (TK), Riyadh Air is positioning itself as a hub for global connectivity. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, the airline has a whopping 132 aircraft orders on its plate, creating over 200,000 jobs to fuel its lofty aspirations.
The Flight That Made History
Dubbed RXI5014, Riyadh Air’s inaugural test flight took to the skies at 11:35 AM UTC. Piloting a sleek Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as HZ-RXX the flight clocked around four hours of airtime before landing smoothly at Istanbul Airport at 3:42 PM UTC. While this particular Dreamliner has a bit of history (it’s a 7.9-year-old veteran previously operated by Oman Air), it’s perfectly suited to help Riyadh Air train its crew and perfect its operations.
Adding an extra touch of polish, ground services were handled by Havas, ensuring the journey from the tarmac to take off was seamless.
Boeing Delays? No Problem!
Riyadh Air’s ambition knows no bounds, but even the most well-oiled plans hit a snag now and then. With delivery delays from Boeing, the airline turned to leasing aircraft as a smart stopgap solution. This move allows them to conduct essential training and test flights, keeping their schedule on track as they gear up for their grand launch later this year. By the second half of 2025, Riyadh Air aims to officially spread its wings with at least two aircraft fully operational.
Riyadh Air isn’t flying solo in its quest for global domination. Last year, the airline inked a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with Turkish Airlines during the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event in Riyadh. This agreement lays the groundwork for a seamless partnership, including interline and codeshare services that expand travel options for passengers. Imagine jetting from Saudi Arabia to Türkiye and then hopping onward to over 130 destinations across Europe and the Americas, easy, breezy, and oh-so-connected.
A First Flight, A New Chapter
With a vision to redefine the skies and connect the world, this Saudi carrier is gearing up to be a major player in global aviation. As the countdown to its official launch continues, one thing is clear: Riyadh Air is ready to soar, and the world is watching.
So, travellers, keep your passports ready. With Riyadh Air in the skies, the future of flying just got a lot more exciting!
Cover Image Courtesy: Riyadh Air/X