King Khalid International Airport, Cathay Pacific Announce Regular Flights between Riyadh, Hong Kong

A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights
A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights
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King Khalid International Airport, Cathay Pacific Announce Regular Flights between Riyadh, Hong Kong

A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights
A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights

The King Khalid International Airport, managed and operated by Riyadh Airports Company, launched a collaboration with Cathay Pacific to operate regular flights between Riyadh and Hong Kong with three flights per week as of October 28.
Riyadh Airports Company CEO Ayman AboAbah said that launching direct flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh with Cathay Pacific is the outcome of joint efforts between Riyadh Airports Company and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) to enhance air transport flow between the capital’s airport and international destinations, aligning with their commitment to supporting the national goals of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
CEO of the ACP Majid Khan also said that launching these flights will upgrade the air connectivity network in the Kingdom, eventually attracting more tourists as travelers from Hong Kong and the Cathay Pacific network, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Southeast Asia region, will be able to explore the tourism potentials in the Kingdom.
Cathay Pacific's Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau noted that this new service will enhance the commercial and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the Kingdom.
Cathay Pacific has designated the A350-900 Airbus to undertake these flights, which accommodates up to 280 passengers.



Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
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Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website

Saudi Arabia's newest airline Riyadh Air said on Wednesday it had placed an order for 60 Airbus narrowbody A321-family jets as it prepares to start operations in 2025.

The deal, signed at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, brings to 132 the total number of jets ordered by the Saudi startup, which last year ordered 39 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for 33 more.

The creation of Riyadh Air by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is part of a broader Saudi strategy to diversify its economy and boost tourism.

“This deal underlines the airline’s ambitious intentions in advance of next year’s launch, as it builds a comprehensive international network and establishes Riyadh as a major strategic global aviation hub,” Yasir Al Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and chairman of Riyadh Air, said.

CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus Christian Scherer said: “The latest generation A321neo aircraft will bring exceptional efficiency to the airline's operations, concrete contributions to its decarbonization goals and comfort to its passengers. We look forward to working together to support the strong ambitions of Saudi aviation."