Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Riyadh Air and Air France-KLM have entered into a major strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 2025 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting, marking a pivotal milestone in advancing air connectivity between the Middle East and Europe. The agreement aims to establish a deep and wide-ranging partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European airline alliance to strengthen global air network integration, support mutual commercial objectives, and deliver enhanced passenger experiences.
This cooperation includes codeshare agreements, schedule alignment, reciprocal loyalty programs, and joint service enhancements, all designed to deliver a seamless and interconnected experience for global travelers.
Boosting Connectivity Between Key Global Hubs
The partnership will leverage the strategic locations of both carriers’ primary hubs: Riyadh Air’s operations at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and Air France-KLM’s major hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). These hubs serve as gateways to multiple continents, making the collaboration an effective bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North and South America.
The MoU outlines shared ambitions for route development across key global markets. With Air France recently launching the Paris–Riyadh route and KLM continuing its Amsterdam–Riyadh service, both carriers demonstrate a growing commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification and international engagement.
The cooperation will focus on streamlined connections, improved flight frequencies, and reduced layover times, offering passengers more convenient itineraries and broader destination choices.
Passenger-Centric Enhancements: Loyalty and Experience
A significant component of the Riyadh Air–Air France-KLM MoU is the development of reciprocal loyalty benefits. Members of Riyadh Air’s upcoming frequent flyer program will be able to earn and redeem miles on Air France-KLM flights, and vice versa. This effort is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s goals to improve global competitiveness and customer satisfaction in aviation.
Additionally, premium passengers will gain access to partner lounges, dedicated check-in areas, and harmonized customer service protocols, ensuring a consistent and high-quality guest experience across partner networks. These initiatives are aimed at attracting business and premium leisure travelers, key demographics in the rapidly growing Saudi aviation market.
Supporting Vision 2030 and Aviation Sector Transformation
The partnership also complements the broader aviation strategy under Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s roadmap to position Riyadh as a global logistics and transportation hub. The Saudi government, through the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the newly formed Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP), continues to prioritize global route development, private sector investment, and sustainability in the sector.
This MoU supports the government’s strategic goals to grow passenger capacity, enhance tourism, and create jobs in aviation and associated sectors.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, emphasized:
“This MoU is a major milestone for Riyadh Air’s growth. Partnering with Air France-KLM accelerates our international reach and brings valuable global expertise. Together, we will deliver innovative and seamless travel solutions, helping to shape a future-ready airline ecosystem in line with Vision 2030.”
Operational Collaboration: MRO, Sustainability, Cargo, and Digital Innovation
Beyond passenger travel, the partnership spans strategic and operational areas, including:
- Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) collaboration
- Joint sustainability initiatives such as fuel efficiency and carbon offset programs
- Cargo operations to facilitate trade between the Gulf region and European markets
- Digital transformation, including AI and data-driven service personalization
These initiatives align with the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services’ goals to modernize aviation infrastructure, increase efficiency, and integrate sustainability into national transportation policy.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, commented:
“Saudi Arabia is a key market for us. This partnership enables us to deepen our presence in the region while supporting the Kingdom’s vision to build a world-class aviation hub. It is a timely opportunity to connect more passengers and cargo across our global network.”
Regulatory Approvals and Implementation
The full implementation of the Riyadh Air–Air France-KLM partnership is subject to regulatory approvals in both regions. National aviation regulators such as GACA in Saudi Arabia and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Europe will oversee compliance and competition standards.
Once approved, passengers can expect phased integration starting with codeshare ticketing and expanding into full frequent flyer reciprocity and service alignment throughout 2026 and beyond.
The strategic agreement follows a global trend of airline alliances and bilateral partnerships aimed at rebuilding post-pandemic aviation networks and increasing market competitiveness through joint ventures and shared capacity planning.
Future Outlook: Strengthening the Global Aviation Ecosystem
With Riyadh Air preparing for its commercial launch, this MoU provides a foundation for the new carrier to scale rapidly, backed by an established and globally respected partner. For Air France-KLM, the partnership adds value through market expansion, connectivity to untapped markets, and enhanced brand visibility in the Gulf region.
This agreement not only aligns with commercial goals but also contributes to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to welcome over 100 million tourists annually by 2030, as outlined by the Ministry of Tourism.
It also reinforces the commitment of both airlines to achieving the Net Zero 2050 goals endorsed by IATA and ICAO, with emphasis on operational efficiency, sustainable aviation fuels, and green airport partnerships.
Conclusion
The signing of the strategic MoU between Riyadh Air and Air France-KLM at the 2025 IATA Annual General Meeting is a landmark development in the aviation industry. It positions both airlines for shared growth, while contributing to broader regional and international goals of connectivity, sustainability, and service excellence.
With implementation expected to begin in the coming months, this partnership is poised to reshape the air travel experience between Europe and the Middle East—connecting people, businesses, and cultures across continents.
For more details, visit:
- Saudi Vision 2030
- General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)
- Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services – Saudi Arabia
- Ministry of Tourism – Saudi Arabia
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- IATA – Strategic Partnerships
Tags: Air France Saudi Arabia, Air France-KLM, airline strategic partnership, aviation MoU, IATA 2025, KLM Riyadh route, Middle East Europe flights, Riyadh Air, Riyadh Airport, Saudi Arabia aviation hub, Saudi Vision 2030
