The national flag carrier of the People's Republic of China, Air China, and the official carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air, have signed a memorandum of understanding.
The alliance will strengthen the ties in the commercial and political frontiers and connect Saudi Arabia with China through cultural and commercial interrelations.
Riyadh Air means business to dominate the international airline arena to connect travelers across the 100-destination-mark by 2030, all with sustainability and support towards the objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
June 5, 2024, Dubai. On June 3, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's newest national airline, declared that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Air China, the sole national flag carrier of the People's Republic of China. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) holds its annual general assembly in Dubai, and the MoU was signed at the event. Riyadh Air highlighted the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the two airlines that would represent increased political as well as commercial ties and friendship between Saudi Arabia and China.
As a result of the agreement, Beijing and Riyadh—two of the Group of Twenty's (G20) most major capitals—will have several opportunities to communicate. The two airlines will collaborate to investigate possible business prospects such as codesharing, interline traffic, and other opportunities. The CEO of Riyadh Air, Tony Douglas, said, "Our partnership with Air China, a leading global carrier with a vast network in key Chinese markets, complements Riyadh Air's ambitious plans."
This memorandum of agreement is a critical step in creating a long-term alliance that will enable uninterrupted passenger travel between China, the Middle East, and other locations. Therefore, it is a joint endeavor of ours that we are well on our way to making these two links the most significant by fortifying the cultural and economic relationships between our regions. This will bring us even closer to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and China's Belt and Road Initiatives.
He expressed satisfaction at the signing of the memorandum of understanding by the chairman of Air China's board of directors. Given its strategic location as a gateway for Chinese tourists to the Middle East, Riyadh Air has the potential to enhance trade and tourism, in consonance with the development ambitions of China and Saudi Arabia. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate and coordinate to achieve the previously intended long-term goals. Currently celebrating its first year of operation, Riyadh Air, the innovative airline of Saudi Arabia, has set its sights on becoming the most forward-thinking carrier in the world. Its objective is to link travelers to one hundred destinations globally by 2030, all the while emphasizing sustainability and setting a new benchmark for travel. By expanding job opportunities, diversifying the Saudi economy, and contributing to the Kingdom's non-oil gross domestic product, Riyadh Air is making a major contribution to the realization of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives.
