Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air has taken another major step in its global expansion strategy, as the Kingdom’s newest full-service carrier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Air India to establish a comprehensive aviation partnership. This agreement directly advances Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of transforming the Kingdom into a leading global aviation hub.
Furthermore, the agreement lays the groundwork for codeshare and interline arrangements that will allow travellers to book seamless journeys across both carriers’ networks through a single reservation, subject to regulatory approvals.
The partnership supports Saudi Arabia’s broader push to position Riyadh as a leading global aviation hub. Consequently, travellers flying between Riyadh, Delhi, and Mumbai will benefit from expanded route options and smoother connections to destinations beyond.
We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Riyadh Air.
This collaboration marks an important step towards expanding connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia and destinations beyond.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the agreement outlines… pic.twitter.com/vyhAagWKyk
— Air India (@airindia) June 4, 2026
A partnership rooted in deep bilateral ties
The two airlines will additionally explore cooperation across loyalty programs, cargo services, operational support, and digital innovation, all designed to elevate the passenger experience. The agreement reflects the strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people bonds between Saudi Arabia and India, a relationship that sustains high demand for business, tourism, and family travel.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, described the agreement as a milestone for the airline’s global ambitions. “India is one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world, and this partnership with Air India marks a defining step in Riyadh Air’s mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations,” he said. “Together, we will offer guests a seamless, world-class experience that reflects the deep cultural and economic bonds shared between our two nations.”
Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, welcomed the tie-up. “India and Saudi Arabia are two important growth markets in global aviation today,” he said. “We look forward to working with Riyadh Air to offer our guests more choice across our combined networks.”
Riyadh Air recently launched public sales for its London Heathrow route, with inaugural flights scheduled for 1 July. The new service, moreover, opens a direct gateway for Indian travellers to the United Kingdom and Europe via Riyadh, further cementing the Saudi capital’s role as a global transit hub.
