RIYADH, Saudi Arabia : Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas lead a delegation to India to explore potential partnerships as the airline prepares to launch operations later this year.
During the visit, which run from March 12-14, Douglas met with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Saudi Arabian Embassy in India to discuss requisite permissions and regulatory support for the airline’s expansion. He will also hold talks with Air India and IndiGo—India’s two largest airlines—on potential collaboration opportunities.
“India has long been a crucial part of Riyadh Air’s network planning ahead of our operations launch,” Douglas said. “India is a beautiful nation that will play a big role in the success story of our airline, as travel and business opportunities multiply with the expanded offerings we are set to provide. Beyond connecting people, our network will foster economic growth and enhance tourism ties between our two great countries.”
The visit coincides with Riyadh Air’s appointment of Bird Travels as its exclusive distribution and sales partner in India. The partnership aims to boost Riyadh Air’s brand visibility and promote its services across the Indian market.
“We are honored to be Riyadh Air’s exclusive distribution and sales partner in India,” said Gaurav Bhatia, executive director of Bird Group. “We are confident that Indian travelers will embrace Riyadh Air’s innovative services and exceptional onboard experience.”
India is expected to become Saudi Arabia’s top tourism source market by 2030, with the Saudi Tourism Authority aiming to welcome 7.5 million Indian visitors annually. The number of Indian travelers to Saudi Arabia surged 50% in 2023 to more than 1.5 million, driven by strategic tourism initiatives.
Riyadh Air, a key component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030. The airline is expected to contribute $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and create over 200,000 jobs globally and locally.
