Riyadh Air and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a new partnership between the two airlines.
The agreement was signed by Riyadh Air CEO Mr. Tony Douglas and Singapore Airlines CEO Mr. Goh Choon Phong during the 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai, UAE, on June 2, 2024.
Under the MoU, the airlines will explore opportunities for interline connectivity on each other’s services, pending regulatory approval. They will also collaborate on other potential areas of commercial cooperation, including codeshare arrangements, reciprocal benefits for frequent flyer program members, cargo services, customer experience, and digital innovation, as a precursor to a deeper, long-term strategic partnership.
This partnership will potentially offer Riyadh Air’s guests access to SIA’s network in Southeast Asia and the South West Pacific region, while SIA’s customers will gain greater access to the Middle East region through Riyadh Air’s network.
Riyadh Air, a new airline based in Saudi Arabia, is expected to commence commercial operations in 2025, providing customers with travel options to and from the Middle East.
Mr. Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated: “Our strategic partnership with Singapore Airlines unlocks significant benefits for our future guests as it grows our network in partnership with the World’s Best Airline. We see huge potential for strong connectivity in Southeast Asia and both Australia and New Zealand through the award-winning hub at Singapore Changi Airport, while also providing opportunities for westbound passengers to connect across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region on Riyadh Air. This relationship is a meaningful and deep cooperation that starts with a wide-ranging codeshare agreement and is expected to include a broad range of areas including digital and technology, loyalty, and cargo.”
Mr. Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, added: “This win-win strategic partnership with Riyadh Air will enable us to offer even more options, enhanced connectivity, and greater benefits to our customers. Together, we can facilitate the growth of passenger travel between Saudi Arabia and Singapore, and beyond, via our respective networks, supporting both tourism and business links. The MoU will also allow us to find ways to work together to enhance customer experience and cargo services, and harness digital tools and solutions, potentially bringing greater benefits to both airlines in the future.”
