Riyadh Air Launches New Routes to Mumbai and Manila

Riyadh Air is expanding its global network with the launch of daily direct flights to India and the Philippines. The airline began service between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Mumbai, India, on August 4, marking its eighth destination since starting commercial operations in June. The carrier also announced that daily direct flights between Riyadh and Manila, Philippines, will begin on September 9, 2026, operating between King Khalid International Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Both routes utilize Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The airline, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, intends to use these routes to support tourism, education, and commercial partnerships while providing more options for the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia.

Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Coste stated that the airline aims to prioritize point-to-point connectivity to reduce the reliance of Riyadh-based travelers on other regional hubs. To support a target of 100 global destinations by 2030, Riyadh Air has ordered 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A321 aircraft, with plans to integrate Airbus A350-1000 aircraft later in the decade. The carrier expects to reach 20-22 destinations by March 2027 and approximately 40 by the end of 2027.