Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new national carrier, and Air France-KLM, a global aviation leader, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This agreement, finalized at the 2025 IATA Annual General Meeting, marks a pivotal moment for enhancing global travel options.
Signed by Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas and Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith, the MoU paves the way for a robust partnership, pending regulatory approval.
Air France-KLM & Riyadh Air Collaboration
This collaboration aims to connect travelers seamlessly between Riyadh, Paris, Amsterdam, and beyond. By leveraging Riyadh Air’s hub in Saudi Arabia’s capital and Air France-KLM’s key hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol, the partnership strengthens network connectivity.
Air France’s recently launched Paris-Riyadh route, combined with KLM’s established Amsterdam-Riyadh service, highlights both airlines’ commitment to expanding travel choices.
The partnership will extend beyond flight routes. It also focuses on enhancing the guest experience through shared loyalty program benefits, lounge access, and operational support.
Additionally, the collaboration explores opportunities in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), digital transformation, sustainability, and cargo services.
These efforts ensure a comprehensive approach to delivering value for travelers and stakeholders alike.
Riyadh Air
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, emphasized the partnership’s importance: “We’re committed to connecting Riyadh to the world. Partnering with Air France-KLM, a global aviation powerhouse, accelerates our vision of delivering exceptional guest experiences.”
“This collaboration strengthens our international network and supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification through innovation and operational excellence.”
Launched in March 2023, the airline will be a digitally led, full-service airline. It will connect guests to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030.
Air France-KLM
Similarly, Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, highlighted the strategic value of the new agreement. “Saudi Arabia is a fast-growing aviation market. Our brands—Air France, KLM, and Transavia—are already serving the region.”
“This partnership with Riyadh Air allows us to expand our presence. We look forward to combining our expertise and networks to offer customers more choice and convenience.”
A global player with a strong European base, the Air France-KLM Group’s main areas of business are passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance.
Air France-KLM is a leading airline Group in terms of international traffic on departure from Europe. It offers its customers access to a worldwide network, covering over 320 destinations. Its carriers, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia, operate mainly from its bases at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Amsterdam-Schiphol.
Conclusion
As Riyadh Air works to establish itself as a leading global carrier, this partnership underscores its dedication to excellence and innovation.
By joining forces with Air France-KLM, the airline aims to redefine air travel, offering seamless connectivity and top-tier services.
This collaboration not only enhances travel options but also positions Riyadh Air as a key player in global aviation, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision for growth and connectivity.
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