Saudi Gazette report

DUBAI — Riyadh Air, the new airline owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EGYPTAIR, the national carrier of Egypt, at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday in Dubai.

Under this cooperation, the two airlines will offer a range of exclusive benefits for travelers between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as from Egypt to other major destinations.

This strategic partnership underscores the depth of the existing relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, paving the way for more travel options for customers and providing various choices for travelers between Riyadh and Cairo.

Additionally, the partnership will facilitate the connection of local and regional destinations in the Middle East and Africa.

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated: "We consider the partnership an important step on our journey towards launching our first commercial flights in mid-2025. Given its geographical proximity to Saudi Arabia, we see promising prospects for air travel between Riyadh and Cairo, necessitating close cooperation to meet the expected high demand for flights between the two destinations."

He added: "Through this strategic cooperation, we will be able to provide more options for our customers traveling between Riyadh and Cairo and to several other prominent destinations. This cooperation will also include loyalty programs for both carriers and many other benefits and reward programs that we look forward to offering to our travelers and guests."

Eng. Yehia Zakaria, EGYPTAIR Group Chairman, said: "This cooperation aligns with the national company's aspirations to target new markets and meet the needs of its customers. This partnership contributes to developing cooperation with EgyptAir partners and providing a distinguished travel experience for customers of both airlines."

He also noted that the partnership with Riyadh Air will positively impact the customers of both companies and all stakeholders in the Middle East. It will support cooperation and strengthen relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with a focus on achieving successful and fruitful collaboration.