Riyadh Air and Air Europa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of analyzing new ways to enhance the air connection between Madrid and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and improve access from other airports in Spain, southern Europe, and Latin America. This step comes after the recent arrival of the Saudi airline in the Spanish capital and, days earlier, in Málaga with a route operated seasonally.
According to a statement, the cooperation will encompass an expansion of collaboration in the route network, the reciprocal integration of loyalty programs, the development of digital innovation solutions, and the improvement of aviation services.
This alliance had already been announced by the CEO of Riyadh Air, Tony Douglas, after the launch of the Madrid-Riyadh connection on July 17: "The landing in Madrid, along with our seasonal service to Málaga and our new strategic alliance with Air Europa, represents a huge step forward in our mission to connect Riyadh with the world."
With its arrival in Spain, the airline already flies to six destinations, including London, Cairo, Dubai, and Jeddah, and has put tickets on sale for another six cities originating from Riyadh: Dhaka, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Manchester, and Bombay. The company plans to announce new additional destinations in the coming weeks and months.
To address this expansion, the company, 100% owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and sponsor of Atlético de Madrid, which has renamed its stadium as Riyadh Air Metropolitano, maintains commitments to acquire more than 180 aircraft, distributed between Airbus and Boeing models.
At the recent Farnborough International Airshow, the airline has decided to exercise options for the purchase of 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, linked to an order from 2023, and has also confirmed a new order for six Airbus A350-1000.