Saudi Arabia's new national carrier Riyadh Air plans to commence passenger operations by the close of 2025, with ambitions to become a major competitor to established Gulf airlines, Al Arabiya English reported on April 29.

The carrier, unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2023, intends to establish connections between the Saudi capital and 100 global destinations before 2030 as part of the Kingdom's economic transformation programme, according to Chief Executive Tony Douglas.

"This is one of those really important moments in the evolution of aviation within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Douglas said, adding that Riyadh Air aims to become a world class airline. "In short, the Kingdom's Emirates, the Kingdom's Qatar Airways, but bigger and better," he said.

The airline has ordered 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A320neo aircraft, with plans to announce a third wide-body type by mid-2025. Manufacturing has begun on the initial aircraft, bolstering confidence about delivery schedules.

Douglas revealed the airline's readiness to acquire Boeing jets originally destined for Chinese customers should those deliveries be cancelled amid escalating trade disputes between Beijing and Washington.

Having secured regulatory approval to operate commercial services, the start-up carrier has attracted job applications from over 1.4 million individuals representing 146 countries for various aviation positions.

The CEO highlighted Riyadh Air's anticipated role in supporting major international events. "(Riyadh) is already a hub for global entertainment, attractions, culture, and heritage across the whole of the kingdom. We will, of course, see the FIFA World Cup in 2034 in Riyadh... it needs a super-connecting, world-class, full-service airline."

Douglas emphasised the carrier's technological advantages as a new entrant. "The gift we have above all else is no legacy… we have been able to design the airline for the future — a digital airline for the future," Douglas said.