Riyadh Air made Manchester its second UK destination and the 14th point in the Saudi Arabian carrier’s growing international network on September 17, launching a new thrice-weekly service.
The inaugural flight RX417, operated by Boeing 787-9 HZ-RXAE (c/n 69475), departed King Khalid International Airport at 0130 local time and arrived at Manchester Airport at 0620. The return RX418 left the north-west hub slightly behind schedule at 0943. The route will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas described Manchester as a “key gateway”, highlighting connecting opportunities from Northern England to destinations across the Middle East and Asia. Among the onward markets being promoted are Jeddah, Bangkok, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. The carrier has expanded rapidly during 2026, with its network now including destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said Riyadh Air’s decision to select Manchester as one of its first European destinations demonstrated both the region’s appeal as an inbound market and demand for long-haul travel from Northern England.
Riyadh Air’s new 787-9s will operate the service and offer Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy accommodation. The aircraft are equipped with Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova entertainment system, including 4K OLED displays and Bluetooth connectivity.
Riyadh Air, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, plans to develop a network serving more than 100 destinations by 2030.
