Riyadh Airlines launches flights to Cairo: A new destination within Vision 2030
Riyadh Airlines has announced that it has selected Cairo, the capital of Egypt, as its second regional destination within its growing international network. This strategic move will launch daily direct flights between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Cairo International Airport, strengthening the new carrier's presence on one of the busiest and most important air routes in the region.
A strategic context aligned with Vision 2030
The establishment of Riyadh Airlines, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, is a cornerstone of achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 , specifically the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy. The company aims to transform Riyadh into a global hub for aviation, trade, and tourism, connecting the Kingdom to more than 100 global destinations by 2030. The choice of Cairo, a pivotal historical, cultural, and economic center in the Arab world, reflects the deep historical ties and strong economic bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Major economic and touristic importance
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Airlines, stated, “The launch of Cairo as our third destination after London and Dubai represents another step in our journey to connect Riyadh to the world, and the world to Riyadh.” He added that this new route not only serves the growing travel demand between the two countries, but also supports the company’s goals of providing innovative and convenient travel options for business travelers, tourists, and pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.
Statistics highlight the strategic importance of this route, with approximately 2.7 million passengers traveling between the two capitals annually, making it one of the most vital air corridors. Cairo also tops the list of preferred international destinations for passengers departing from Saudi airports, and Egyptian visitors constitute a significant percentage of all tourists arriving in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the continued and growing demand for this route.
Experience global travel with a modern fleet
Riyadh Airlines will offer its passengers on flights to Cairo a unique, world-class travel experience, utilizing its modern fleet of Boeing Dreamliner (B787-9) aircraft. These aircraft are distinguished by their advanced operational efficiency, state-of-the-art digital technology, and exceptional levels of passenger comfort and luxury. This launch is part of the company's "Path to Takeoff" operational plan, which aims to achieve the highest levels of operational efficiency and optimal readiness for the commencement of commercial flights in the coming period.
Expected regional and international impacts
The addition of this air route is expected to have a positive impact both regionally and internationally. Regionally, it will contribute to strengthening trade and tourism between the two largest economies in the region and facilitate the movement of the large Egyptian community residing in the Kingdom. Internationally, this step solidifies Riyadh's position as a major transit hub connecting East and West and enhances the competitiveness of the Saudi aviation sector on the global stage, thus serving the Kingdom's ambitious goals of becoming a global logistics center.
