The Middle East’s newest airline, 
Riyadh Air, has gained regulatory approval from China to launch nonstop international flights to Beijing and Shanghai. The airline was authorised by the Civil Aviation Administration of China ( CAAC) to serve three flights a week to 
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) and four flights a week to 
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
This marks the latest chapter for the Saudi Arabian airline, which is set to challenge the existing Middle Eastern carriers. While start dates for these new routes to China are yet to be confirmed, it adds to the growing network of international flights Riyadh Air will operate, which are already flying to London (LHR), Jeddah (JED), Dubai (DXB) and Cairo (CAI).
Seven Weekly Flights From Riyadh To Mainland China
Riyadh Air, which operates from its home at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH), is slowly building its international network, with three international routes and one domestic route already in operation. This is set to grow in the next few months with the addition of Madrid (MAD), Malaga (AGP), Manchester (MAN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Dhaka (DAC), and Mumbai (BOM), the next on the airline’s radar.
The airline also hopes to commence services to the United States, with the airline receiving approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate services to the country. While no US destinations have been announced, looking at other Saudi Airlines, Saudia, it operates nonstop to New York (JFK), Washington (IAD), and Los Angeles (LAX).
Riyadh Air is hoping to reach 100 destinations by the end of this decade and overtake Saudia as the main international airline of the Kingdom. The airline is part of the country’s vision to diversify from oil and transform Riyadh into a global aviation hub. The carrier hopes to capture the lucrative international transfer traffic market and compete against the likes of Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad.
Riyadh Air Nonstop Flights Between Riyadh And Beijing/Shanghai
As already mentioned, the airline is yet to announce when it will start flying to China. The airline will fly a total of seven weekly flights to the country, split between Beijing and Shanghai. As analysed by Aviation Week with 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, China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines. The largest airport pairs currently operating between the Kingdom and China are:
|
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 airlines 787-9 aircraft, which can seat up to 290 passengers in a four-class configuration including four Business Elite class, 24 business, 39 premium economy, and 223 in economy class.
Riyadh Air Onboard Experience
Those who fly with Riyadh Air will enjoy a luxurious onboard experience on its 787s, with the airline blending Saudi hospitality with a modern cabin design. The lavender and indigo interior boasts an elevated onboard experience which includes free WiFi, Arabic dining menus, and a range of non-alcoholic beverages (Riyadh Air is a dry airline, meaning no alcohol will be served).
Premium cabins, including Business Elite and Business, are configured in a 1-2-1 layout which are bespoke suites with sliding privacy doors. Seats ultimately fold into fully flat beds, with marble-effect counters, mocha gold accents, and Bedouin-inspired canopies. Passengers are provided with high-end Kayuanee amenity kits. Premium economy offers a 38 inch set pitch, recliner-style seating, with adjustable calf rests. Care kits and noise-cancelling headphones come standard in this cabin.
Those in the economy will see a 3-3-3 layout, and seats provide a 31-inch (78 cm)pitch, and a 17.2-inch (43 cm) wide seat. All seats have personal screens, USB charging points, and all meals are served with hard reusable containers.
Riyadh Air’s approval to start flying to mainland China is an exciting step forward for the airline, which, once operational, will look to attract passengers from a large outbound market. Business, trade, and tourism will be key on this route as the airline looks to attract passengers both to the Kingdom and transit via its hub at Riyadh.