RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA- Riyadh Air (RX), the Middle East’s newest airline, has secured regulatory approval from China to launch nonstop international flights to Beijing and Shanghai.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) authorised the carrier to operate 3 weekly flights to Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) and four weekly flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
The clearance marks the latest chapter for the Saudi Arabian carrier, which is set to challenge established Middle Eastern airlines.
Start dates for the China routes are yet to be confirmed, but they add to a growing network from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) that already covers London (LHR), Jeddah (JED), Dubai (DXB), and Cairo (CAI).
7 Weekly Flights From Riyadh To Mainland China
Riyadh Air is slowly building its international network from its home base in Riyadh, with three international routes and one domestic route already in operation.
That network is set to grow over the next few months, with Madrid (MAD), Malaga (AGP), Manchester (MAN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Dhaka (DAC), and Mumbai (BOM) next on the airline’s radar.
The carrier also hopes to commence services to the United States, having received approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate to the country. No US destinations have been announced.
For reference, fellow Saudi carrier Saudia (SV) operates nonstop to New York (JFK), Washington (IAD), and Los Angeles (LAX).
As reported by Simple Flying, Riyadh Air is aiming to reach 100 destinations by the end of this decade and overtake Saudia as the Kingdom’s main international airline. The carrier forms part of Saudi Arabia’s vision to diversify away from oil and transform Riyadh into a global aviation hub.
Its strategy targets the lucrative international transfer traffic market, placing it in direct competition with Qatar Airways (QR), Emirates (EK), and Etihad Airways (EY).
Riyadh Air Nonstop Flights to Beijing and Shanghai
The airline has yet to announce when it will start flying to China. It will operate a total of seven weekly flights to the country, split between Beijing and Shanghai.
As analysed by Aviation Week using OAG Schedules Analyser data, the current market between Saudi Arabia and China is dominated by Saudia, which operates approximately 60% of all flights during the summer season. Other competitors already in the market include Hainan Airlines (HU), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Air China (CA), and China Eastern Airlines (MU).
The largest airport pairs currently operating between the Kingdom and China are listed below.
| From | To | Airlines Operating |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou (CAN) | Riyadh (RUH) | China Southern |
| Beijing Daxing (PKX) | Riyadh (RUH) | Saudia, China Southern |
| Beijing Capital (PEK) | Riyadh (RUH) | Air China |
| Shanghai (PVG) | Riyadh (RUH) | China Eastern |
The services to China will be operated by the airline’s 787-9 aircraft. The type seats up to 290 passengers in a 4-class configuration, made up of 4 Business Elite seats, 24 business class seats, 39 premium economy seats, and 223 economy class seats.
Riyadh Air Onboard Experience
Passengers flying with Riyadh Air will find an onboard experience on its 787s that blends Saudi hospitality with a modern cabin design.
The lavender and indigo interior includes free WiFi, Arabic dining menus, and a range of non-alcoholic beverages. Riyadh Air is a dry airline, meaning no alcohol is served.
Premium cabins, including Business Elite and Business, are configured in a 1-2-1 layout with bespoke suites and sliding privacy doors. The seats fold into fully flat beds and feature marble-effect counters, mocha gold accents, and Bedouin-inspired canopies. Passengers receive high-end Kayuanee amenity kits.
Premium economy offers a 38-inch seat pitch with recliner-style seating and adjustable calf rests. Care kits and noise-cancelling headphones come as standard in this cabin.
Economy class uses a 3-3-3 layout, with seats providing a 31-inch (78 cm) pitch and a 17.2-inch (43 cm) width. All seats have personal screens and USB charging points, and every meal is served in hard reusable containers.
Bottom Line
Riyadh Air’s approval to start flying to mainland China is a step forward for the airline, which will look to attract passengers from a large outbound market once the routes are operational.
Business, trade, and tourism will be key on these services as the carrier targets traffic both into the Kingdom and onward through its Riyadh hub.
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