RIYADH: Saudi carrier Riyadh Air has launched flights on Thursday between Riyadh and Manchester, marking its second destination in the United Kingdom following the launch of its London service on June 10.
Developed under the Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) to expand international routes and seat capacity to priority markets, the route will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The service will connect travellers in northern England directly with Riyadh, while offering onward connections across the carrier’s expanding network.
مسار جديد يوسّع شبكتنا في المملكة المتحدة 🇬🇧
انطلقت رحلاتنا المباشرة بين الرياض ومانشستر مع 3 رحلات أسبوعيًا، بالتعاون مع برنامج الربط الجوي @ACP_Saudi, لنقرّب ضيوفنا من تجارب جديدة في الوجهتين.
شكرًا لمطار مانشستر @manairport على حسن الترحيب ومشاركتنا الاحتفاء برحلتنا الأولى… pic.twitter.com/rP7qm9Clic
— Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض (@RiyadhAir) September 17, 2026
The new route is expected to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom by facilitating business, educational, sporting and leisure travel. As a major commercial and sporting centre, Manchester provides a strategic gateway to northern England, complementing the carrier’s existing service to London.
The addition of Manchester will expand travel options between the two countries, enhance international air connectivity and support Kingdom’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a global logistics and aviation hub, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Riyadh Air, flagship project backed by PIF
Riyadh Air is a flagship project backed by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and is expected to play a central role in transforming Riyadh into a major international gateway connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.
Saudi Arabia officially launched Riyadh Air in June this year, its new national carrier, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and strengthen its position as a global aviation hub.
The airline’s inaugural commercial flight departed Riyadh for London aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, signalling the start of operations for the Kingdom’s second state-owned airline after Saudia.
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The carrier has ambitious expansion plans and aims to connect more than 100 international destinations within the next five years.
To support its growth strategy, Riyadh Air has already ordered 132 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with options for additional purchases in the future.
