Riyadh Air to start flying with limited service to Heathrow

Riyadh Air plans to launch its first commercial flights this month after delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries pushed off the new carrier’s debut by almost a year.

The Saudi startup, which is owned by the Public Investment Fund, will start daily service to London Heathrow Airport on Oct. 26, adding flights to Dubai International Airport in November once it receives its first Boeing 787 widebody jet.

Tickets for the general public are expected to go on sale in December, following an initial phase limited to staff of the PIF sovereign wealth fund, Riyadh Air employees and their families, CEO Tony Douglas said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Backed by billions from the Saudi fund, Riyadh Air aims to attract luxury travelers from established Gulf rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader plan to diversify the economy beyond oil.

The new airline ordered more than 150 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus but none of them have been delivered. Riyadh Air plans to fly to 100 cities by 2030.