Air France-KLM Formalizes Strategic Partnership With Riyadh Air
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Air France-KLM and Riyadh Air have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch a wide-ranging partnership as the Saudi carrier gears up for its 2025 debut. The announcement comes shortly after Air France resumed service to Riyadh and marks the latest in a coordinated push by the Delta–Air France–KLM–Virgin Atlantic alliance to deepen ties with Saudi Arabia’s emerging flag carrier.
Riyadh Air’s Next Major Global Partnership
In a move telegraphed by recent developments in the transatlantic alliance space, Air France-KLM and Riyadh Air have agreed to collaborate on building a broad strategic relationship covering network, loyalty, and operational synergy. While details are still pending—as Riyadh Air has yet to launch commercial service—the MoU lays the groundwork for deep integration over time.
The agreement will focus on:
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Network connectivity between the major hubs of Riyadh, Paris-CDG, and Amsterdam-Schiphol
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Reciprocal loyalty program benefits
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Operational cooperation including lounges, check-in, and ground handling
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Joint efforts in expanding options across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia
Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith emphasized Saudi Arabia’s importance in global aviation and highlighted the group’s intention to grow its presence in the region:
“With our three brands—Air France, KLM, and Transavia—now serving the country, and with this new agreement with Riyadh Air, we aim to continue increasing our footprint in the region.”
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas echoed the sentiment, positioning the agreement as central to Riyadh Air’s ambition to be a global aviation player:
“This partnership not only strengthens our international network but also reinforces confidence in our growth trajectory and our role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.”
Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Now Air France-KLM: A Coordinated Strategy
This latest development solidifies what has now become a coordinated transatlantic strategy among Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM, all of which have entered into agreements with Riyadh Air.
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Delta is reportedly establishing its own partnership with Riyadh Air.
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Virgin Atlantic has also announced cooperation plans.
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All four carriers—Delta, Virgin, Air France, and KLM—share a transatlantic joint venture.
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Delta maintains equity stakes in Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM, further linking their commercial strategies.
These agreements follow a similar blueprint to recent tie-ups with IndiGo in India, showing a deliberate global strategy that prioritizes bilateral agreements and JVs over traditional alliance expansion.
Interestingly, while Saudia is already a member of the SkyTeam alliance, its partnerships with Delta and Air France-KLM remain lukewarm. Riyadh Air, by contrast, appears poised to become the preferred Saudi partner in this emerging global alignment, despite both airlines being state-owned.
Strategic Implications for Riyadh Air’s Network Plans
Riyadh Air’s partnerships with major transatlantic carriers are likely to influence its initial route map when it launches in late 2025. Given the newly formed partnerships and the importance of strategic feed, early long-haul destinations could include:
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Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
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Amsterdam-Schiphol (AMS)
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London-Heathrow (LHR)
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New York (JFK)
With guaranteed connectivity and interline feed from some of the largest transatlantic operators, Riyadh Air is positioning itself to scale quickly—if the execution matches the ambition.
Bottom Line
Air France-KLM has formalized a strategic partnership with Riyadh Air, reinforcing the group’s commitment to growth in the Middle East and strengthening the coordinated Delta–Virgin–Air France–KLM transatlantic network. While Riyadh Air has yet to launch operations, its evolving partnership portfolio reflects a deliberate strategy to build global connectivity from day one.
As Saudi Arabia continues to transform its aviation sector under Vision 2030, Riyadh Air is shaping up to be its central international carrier—and is already proving to be a magnet for major airline partners.
