Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Riyadh Air, the Saudi new world-class airline, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkish Airlines to boost collaboration across various fields including passenger experience, cargo, and digital innovation, a recent press release stated.
The MoU was signed by Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, and Levent Konukcu, Chief Investment and Technology Officer of Turkish Airlines, on the sidelines of the ICAN 2023.
As per the agreement, both parties will work together to offer a range of benefits for guests traveling between the Kingdom, Türkiye, and points beyond as soon as possible after Riyadh Air launches operations in mid-2025.
Guests of both airlines will leverage each carrier’s global network through a comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement that will allow customers to seamlessly connect between and combine sectors operated by either Riyadh Air or Turkish Airlines.
Furthermore, Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines will join efforts to explore and implement broader synergies and efficiencies across the value chain, aviation-related services, cargo, and digital development.
Douglas described the agreement with Turkish Airlines as a “very significant step in the evolution of Riyadh Air.”
“Our close relationship will open up seamless connectivity via the global-leading hub at Istanbul Airport to some 130 destinations worldwide, especially within Türkiye, Europe and the Americas and accelerate our network footprint through the market-leading, guest-centric, digitally focused and like-minded global airline brand that is Turkish Airlines,” Douglas added.
Meanwhile, Konukcu expressed enthusiasm for signing the strategic MoU, affirming that Riyadh Air is “a promising new player in the aviation industry.”
“This memorandum of understanding is more than a collaboration; it’s a bridge between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, further strengthening our ties. It's also an opportunity to expand our reach and offer our guests more choices and convenience.”
Riyadh Air was launched in line with the strategy of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to unlock the capabilities of key sectors locally to drive the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy.
ICAN 2023 takes place in Riyadh from 4 to 7 December, gathering over 100 countries, international organizations, and more than 700 experts and specialists in the civil aviation sector.
