Saudi Gazette report

DUBAI — Riyadh Air, the new airline owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has taken an important step forward in its future entry into the main Chinese market by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Eastern Airlines.

This significant partnership was sealed at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dubai on Monday.

This collaboration aims to bolster the close and growing economic and cultural relations between China and Saudi Arabia by providing new travel options to markets where these services are not sufficiently available.

Recently, China Eastern Airlines announced the launch of direct flights between Shanghai and Riyadh, emphasizing the joint commitment to enhancing cooperation and extending air bridges in trade and tourism, as well as enriching cultural exchanges.

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated that this MoU underscores Riyadh Air's strategic direction, highlighting the importance of the Chinese market in their network plans. "This agreement will enable us to work closely with China Eastern Airlines, benefiting from its leading position in the Chinese market and seizing new opportunities in the travel sector, positively impacting economic growth in both Saudi Arabia and China," Douglas said.

He further noted that the cooperation extends beyond direct aviation to include digital transformation initiatives. Riyadh Air's innovative approach aligns with China Eastern Airlines’ focus on digital advancements, establishing a strong foundation for future collaboration.

Wang Zhiqing, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, remarked that this strategic partnership reflects the comprehensive development in the strategic relationship between China and Saudi Arabia. "The partnership highlights future cooperation prospects between our carriers in commercial aspects and the exchange of technology and digital operations expertise," Zhiqing said.

Additionally, the agreement will facilitate connections between destinations operated by China Eastern Airlines from its main hub in Shanghai and Riyadh Air’s future network. This will enhance travel ease for passengers from China to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.