Riyadh Air Launches Manchester as its Second UK Destination, Expanding Connectivity to Northern England | aviationbizz.com
Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new national carrier, today celebrated the launch of its inaugural service between Riyadh and Manchester, marking its second route in the United Kingdom after London services began on June 10, 2026.
Inaugural flight RX0417 departed King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh at 1:30 AM local time and arrived at Manchester Airport (MAN) at 6:40 AM local time. The return service, RX0418, departs Manchester at 8:40 AM local time and is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh at 5:20 PM local time. Operating every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the new non-stop service offers guests in the North of England direct access to Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and onward connections across Riyadh Air’s growing global network, including onward travel to Jeddah and points in Asia such as Bangkok, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be launching our inaugural flight to Manchester, our second destination in the UK and 14th worldwide. Manchester is a key gateway from where our guests can fly to cities in the Middle East and Asia in addition to being a popular cultural destination for visitors from across our growing network. We look forward to welcoming guests to fly on our modern, premium aircraft and experience genuine Saudi hospitality, known locally as Hafawa.”
Manchester is a globally recognized center for commerce, culture, education and sport, making it a natural addition to Riyadh Air’s expanding international network. Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester Airport serves as a global gateway to the North of the UK, offering access to vibrant cities including Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield; renowned landscapes such as the Yorkshire Moors, the Peak District and the Lake District, and onward travel to destinations including North Wales and Scotland.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect people from across the North with destinations across the planet, so having a new route to a major global city like Riyadh is a big moment for us. What makes this even more special is that an ambitious airline like Riyadh Air has selected Manchester as one of its first European destinations – showing the appeal of Manchester and the North as a destination, but also indicating the strength of demand for long-haul travel from the North.”
In close partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program (ACP), the executive enabler of the National Tourism and Aviation Strategies, the Manchester service builds on Riyadh Air’s inaugural London route and extends the airline’s UK presence into Northern England. Together, the two services offer guests greater choice when traveling between Saudi Arabia and the UK, while supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions to grow tourism and strengthen international connectivity.
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