Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of a landmark Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking what the airlines describe as a groundbreaking development in airline partnership and code share integration. Built on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023, the collaboration is designed to support Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy while providing domestic and international travelers with greater choice, improved connectivity and more seamless travel options across the Kingdom and beyond.
The first phase of the partnership brings together two different airline technology environments, enabling Riyadh Air and Saudia to implement a code share arrangement across their respective systems. Riyadh Air, which operates a digital Offer Order platform, has established connectivity with Saudia’s Passenger Service System, allowing the carriers to begin integrating their networks through the new code share. The technological connection represents a significant milestone in the partnership and is expected to create a more flexible travel experience for passengers connecting between domestic and international services.
Six Saudi Cities Connected Through the New RX-SV Code Share
Under the first phase of the agreement, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” airline code on selected Saudia-operated flights connecting its hub at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with six important domestic destinations. The cities included in the initial code share are Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk, significantly expanding domestic connectivity for Riyadh Air passengers.
The partnership is designed to create smoother travel opportunities for passengers traveling between Saudi Arabia’s domestic destinations and Riyadh Air’s growing international network. For example, a traveler from Dammam will be able to travel via Riyadh and continue to Madrid on a single ticket, while an international passenger departing from Kuala Lumpur will be able to connect through Riyadh to Medina. By combining domestic and international journeys under a more integrated booking system, the two airlines aim to reduce complexity and provide passengers with more convenient travel choices.
Single Ticket Travel and Seamless Connections for Passengers
One of the most important benefits of the new partnership is the promise of a more streamlined passenger experience. Riyadh Air’s code will be placed on Saudia’s frequent daily flights between Riyadh and the six destinations covered by the agreement, allowing passengers to select connections that better match the arrival and departure schedules of Riyadh Air’s international services.
With both airlines operating within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, connecting passengers are expected to benefit from single-ticket travel and through checked baggage to their final destination. The arrangement is intended to make transfers faster and more convenient, reducing the difficulties traditionally associated with connecting between separate domestic and international flights.
According to Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, the integration of different technology environments is central to the airline’s digital-native operating model. He described the first major phase of cooperation with Saudia as an important industry milestone, emphasizing that the partnership combines the strengths of both carriers to reshape the travel experience for passengers traveling within Saudi Arabia and those connecting through the Kingdom.
Premium Benefits and Stronger Loyalty Integration Planned
The agreement also includes benefits for eligible premium travelers. Riyadh Air Business Class passengers using connecting code-share flights operated by Saudia will have access to Saudia lounges at their departure points within Saudi Arabia and when transferring to domestic services from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport Terminal 4. Eligible travelers will also be able to use fast track security and priority boarding on Saudia-operated flights where these services are available.
Looking ahead, Riyadh Air and Saudia plan to further strengthen the partnership by introducing reciprocal earning and redemption opportunities for members of Riyadh Air’s Sfeer loyalty program and Saudia’s Alfursan program. The airlines are also working toward additional lounge access arrangements at important airport locations within Saudi Arabia and internationally, providing greater benefits to eligible frequent travelers as the cooperation expands.
Technology Breakthrough Sets a New Standard for Airline Partnerships
The Riyadh Air-Saudia partnership is particularly significant because of the technological integration supporting the code share. The collaboration connects Riyadh Air’s Offer Order platform with Saudia’s Passenger Service System, using technology specifically developed to enable communication and connectivity between two different airline technology environments. According to the announcement, the integration followed three years of development and testing involving both airlines and their technology providers, FLYR, INK and Amadeus.
The airlines believe the technology could play an increasingly important role as Riyadh Air expands its international partnerships. The carrier already has Memorandums of Understanding with nearly 15 other airlines worldwide, and the new technological capability is expected to support the activation of future code share and interline agreements. As Saudi Arabia continues its ambitious expansion of aviation and tourism under its wider national development strategy, the partnership between Riyadh Air and Saudia could become an important model for how airlines combine advanced technology with network cooperation to create greater connectivity, smoother journeys and expanded travel opportunities for passengers worldwide.
