A new partnership is redefining the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia. Saudia, the Kingdom’s established flag carrier, and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a PIF-owned company, have joined forces through a landmark digital codeshare partnership to offer an integrated travel experience.
A passenger books a single ticket through Riyadh Air and can board a regional Saudia flight to explore domestic destinations, such as Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, or Tabuk, without the need to re-check luggage.
With its first phase rolled out, this revolutionary partnership aligns directly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Aviation Strategy, transforming business travel and regional tourism and driving the Kingdom’s ambitions to establish itself as a global aviation hub.
Digital Innovation in the Skies
Driving the News: Riyadh Air and Saudia have rolled out the first phase of a bilateral strategic cooperation agreement, connecting Riyadh Air to Saudia’s passenger service system, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Big Picture: The first-of-its-kind partnership allows both airlines to launch a codeshare agreement and offer passengers broader, seamless travel options.
The Details: Under Phase 1, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” code on a number of Saudia-operated flights at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh (RUH) to 6 key domestic hubs.
An Industry First: The codeshare agreement links Riyadh Air’s Offer-Order platform with Saudia’s Passenger Service System through custom-built technology. This integration follows three years of joint development and testing alongside tech partners FLYR, INK, and Amadeus.
Domestic Network:
- Abha (ABH)
- Qassim (ELQ)
- Dammam (DMM)
- Jeddah (JED)
- Madinah (MED)
- Tabuk (TUU)
Two Carriers, One Goal
The Context: The partnership connects the Kingdom’s two aviation flagships, integrating their efforts to target different travel segments.
Saudia
Through a state-of-the-art fleet, an expanded network, and innovative services, Saudia has positioned itself as one of the world’s largest air operators. Based in Jeddah, the Kingdom’s established national carrier mainly focuses on Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages as well as Red Sea tourism. The airline is committed to modernizing its fleet, expanding its route network, and improving the passenger experience with state-of-the-art onboard services, in line with its plan to transform into a global mega-carrier, bringing the world to Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh Air
Based in Riyadh, the new national airline utilizes technology and innovation to turn the Saudi capital into a global hub for business and leisure travel. Driven by a bold ambition to connect Riyadh to over 100 global destinations by 2030, Riyadh Air boasts a modern fleet featuring cabins equipped with cutting-edge technology and elevated onboard amenities, as well as a variety of top-notch hospitality services to ensure a comprehensive travel experience.
How the Partnership Works
State of Play: With a single ticket, a passenger based in a Saudi city can use the codeshare to fly through Riyadh to an international destination. Similarly, an international passenger can travel to Saudi domestic destinations through Riyadh.
Traveler Benefits:
- Single-ticket booking across both airlines.
- Baggage checked through directly to final destinations.
- Seamless transit through Terminals 1-4 at KKIA.
What to Watch: Phase 2 of the partnership will see the introduction of reciprocal loyalty perks between Saudia’s Alfursan and Riyadh Air’s Sfeer programs, as well as shared lounge access inside the Kingdom and worldwide, and the addition of Saudia’s “SV” code to Riyadh Air flights.
What They’re Saying: “This first major step in our cooperation with Saudia represents a significant milestone for the aviation sector. By bringing our strengths together, we are redefining the travel experience within the Kingdom and for travelers arriving in it.” – Vincent Coste, Riyadh Air Chief Commercial Officer.
“This step reflects the close cooperation between Saudia and Riyadh Air and our shared commitment to supporting the continued growth of the Kingdom’s aviation sector. The codeshare agreement will provide guests with broader options and better air connectivity within the Kingdom, while also creating new opportunities to connect domestic and international flights. As this partnership develops, we look forward to expanding these benefits to more guests of both airlines.” – Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia.
Vision 2030 Horizons
Between the Lines: The codeshare agreement directly plays into the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Aviation Strategy, supporting the goal of connecting the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations, reaching 330 million annual passengers, and expanding total aviation sector GDP contribution to over SAR 75 billion by the end of the decade.
The Benchmark: By adopting an aviation software blueprint, Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as a pioneering model that international carriers will look to follow.
The Bottom Line: The codeshare agreement will boost travel and air connectivity options across Saudi Arabia and expand the carriers’ networks, accelerating the Kingdom’s economic diversification and tourism goals under Vision 2030.
