A NEW airline could soon be launching flights from the UK to the “next Dubai” from as early as next year.
Riyadh Air is set to become Saudi Arabia’s new national airline when it launches commercial flights in 2025.
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The new airline was unveiled nearly one year ago at the Paris Air Show, with the company showcasing its lavender-coloured fleet.
Riyadh Air had previously placed one of the biggest aircraft orders in history, spending £30billion on a fleet of 72 Boeing jets.
The airline plans to be flying to more than 100 destinations within the next seven years, including major airport hubs.
As reported by Aviation Week, Tony Douglas CEO of Riyadh Air revealed that destinations are likely to include “every major capital in Europe and obviously US touch points, particularly on the east coast.”
Flights to London Heathrow with Riyadh Air are a likely possibility – although no routes have been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the airline also hopes to have a strong network of domestic flights.
The carrier is slated to be a high-end airline – although official pricing has yet to be revealed.
Tony Douglas was the former Etihad Airways Head and is a prominent business owner in Saudi Arabia, and he believes the country can replicate Dubai’s success and become a tourist hotspot.
Back in 2023, he told the Telegraph: “Going forward. This [Saudi Arabia] will probably be one of the biggest go to places.”
He added that Saudi Arabia would be “the next Dubai for holidaymakers.”
According to the Riyadh Air boss, more than 336,000 people, including 48,000 pilots, have registered their interest in a job with the airline.
The new airline will be based at King Salman International Airport – Riyadh’s brand-new airport.
King Salman International Airport will have six runways and will be able to accommodate 120million passengers when it opens in 2030.
The huge new travel hub will be spread across over 57 square kilometres (22 square miles), with roughly 12 square kilometres being dedicated to recreational facilities.
The airport is being designed by the British architecture firm Foster + Partners, while UK construction firm Mace will be responsible as the delivery partner.
Until Riyadh Air launches next year, British Airways operates direct routes from the UK – with prices starting from around £700 for a return ticket.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia, destinations such as Riyadh remain safe for travel.
And Saudi Arabia isn’t the only destination in that’s been likened to a Dubai in recent years.
The next Dubai…
Plenty of people have been suggesting that Muscat in Oman could also be another “new Dubai”.
It’s a title that Travel Noire used when talking about the city’s merits, saying it had plenty to offer visitors.
They wrote: “Located next to UAE on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman should not be overlooked.
“Though it has been referred to as ‘the new Dubai,’ the country is a star in its own right with much to offer.
“Beautiful natural wonders, a deep-rooted history, incredible architecture and lively nightlife are a few reasons it is worth a visit.”
Famous attractions include the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Muttrah Souk – one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arabian peninsula.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, German flag carrier Lufthansa announced that it would be launching Lufthansa City Airlines – a brand-new airline.
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The new airline aims to expand Lufthansa’s European route network and will be based primarily in Munich, with additional aircraft in Frankfurt.
It will launch with a small programme of flights to destinations across Europe, including Hanover, Düsseldorf, Bordeaux and Birmingham.
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