Riyadh Air Opens Four Asian Routes with Boeing 787 Fleet

Riyadh Air has expanded its network with four new routes connecting its King Khalid International Airport hub to destinations across South and Southeast Asia, according to Aero Routes data. The additions mark a significant milestone for the Saudi startup carrier as it builds out its international footprint.

Two of the new corridors will link Riyadh with Pakistani cities, operating on relatively short turnaround times between booking availability and inaugural flights. Service to Islamabad is scheduled to begin August 14 with daily departures, while Lahore flights will launch August 18 on a thrice-weekly basis. Both routes will deploy the carrier's Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The airline has also announced service deeper into Asia, with flights to Bangkok set to commence September 2 operating four times weekly. Manila will join the network September 9 with daily frequency. The 787-9 will similarly operate both Southeast Asian routes. CEO Tony Douglas commented on the aircraft type, noting that "guests have been hugely impressed with the Riyadh Air experience onboard our current fleet of six Boeing 787 jets."

Unlike the Pakistan routes, which appear designed primarily for point-to-point traffic, the Bangkok and Manila services are reportedly timed to facilitate connections through Riyadh to European destinations. This hub-and-spoke model mirrors operational strategies common among Middle Eastern carriers, allowing passengers from Southeast Asia to access onward flights to the airline's European network.

Riyadh Air's existing European presence centers on Spain and the United Kingdom, according to published reports. The carrier's 787-9 aircraft feature a three-class configuration with 28 business seats, 39 premium economy seats, and 223 economy seats.