Riyadh Air takes flight in Saudi skies ahead of air show debut: Watch

Saudi Arabia’s youngest airline Riyadh Air took to the skies over the country’s capital city Riyadh on Monday. The airline, which was launched by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund – the Public Investment Fund, recently revealed its purple-coloured livery.

The airline’s flight over Riyadh was announced on its social media platforms. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took off from the King Khaled International Airport before it flew over several landmarks in the capital, including King Abdullah Financial District, Kingdom Centre and Boulevard City.

تعرفوا على مسار #طيران_الرياض وهو يحلق في سماء العاصمة في تمام الساعة ١ ظهراً✈​
شاركونا لقطاتكم عبر #المستقبل_يبدأ_هنا​#طيران_الرياض ​#إحدي_شركات_صندوق_الاستثمارات_العامة pic.twitter.com/flvvxNgioY

— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) June 12, 2023

It’s the first time that the airline, which is set to launch in 2025, has officially taken flight. The Boeing aircraft, registered N8572C, was accompanied by a jet from Saudi Hawks, the Royal Saudi Air Force Display team.

#RiyadhAir has landed after an iconic tour of Riyadh’s landmarks. Did you catch a glimpse of our livery in the skies?#FutureTakesFlight #aPIFCompany pic.twitter.com/VlP2LDZ6Mi

— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) June 12, 2023

The 1pm flight (local time) was preceded by a high-profile function that was attended by ministers and officials of the Saudi government, as per a report by Arab News. Riyadh Air is set to make its public debut at the upcoming Paris Air Show on June 19.

وعدنا اليوم في سماء الرياض​
يُحلّق #طيران_الرياض في أجواء العاصمة عبر استعراض جوي برفقة طائرة من فريق #الصقور_السعودية الساعة 1 ظهراً​#المستقبل_يبدأ_هنا ​#إحدى_شركات_صندوق_الاستثمارات_العامة​@saudihawks pic.twitter.com/H4dsZFmuf5

— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) June 12, 2023

Riyadh Air fleet

Announced on March 12 by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air will have up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes. The airline obtained “RX” as an Airline Designator Code from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on June 4.

Touchdown! We’re happy to be home in the Saudi capital of Riyadh ??#RiyadhAir #FutureTakesFlight #aPIFCompany pic.twitter.com/8erK0NhVP2

— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) June 12, 2023

Riyadh Air is chaired by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, has been appointed chief executive officer. The Saudi airline aims to connect millions of leisure and business travelers to more than 100 destinations around the world by 2030.

According to a press release, the brand identity of Riyadh Air reflects the forward-thinking theme of the kingdom. “It is inspired by the warmth and hospitality of the Kingdom and the vibrant lavender colors that carpet the desert in the spring, the beautiful livery is one of a series that will continue to push boundaries in aviation. It has been designed to incorporate visual references to the kingdom and the city which include the sweeping curves of Arabic script with the global campaign tagline ‘The Future Takes Flight.’”