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Ahead of launching Indian operations, Riyadh Air delegation visits India to explore partnerships

Chennai, Mar 12 (UNI) Ahead of launching its Indian operations, a delegation from Riyadh Air is
in India to explore partnerships.
The delegation led by CEO Tony Douglas, will hold talks with Air India and IndiGo, India’s two
largest airlines, and DGCA to discuss possible agreements.
As part of the Riyadh Air trip, which takes place from March 12 to 14, the delegation will meet
the officials at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as well as the Embassy of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for requisite permissions and support to launch India operations.
Mr. Douglas will also meet IndiGo and Air India– India’s two largest airlines to discuss possible
partnerships.
The visit coincides with Riyadh Air officially appointing Bird Travels as its exclusive distribution
and sales partner in India.
"India has long been a crucial part of Riyadh Air’s network planning ahead of our operations launch
later this year", Mr Douglas said, according to a Riyadh Air statement on Wednesday.

The delegation will hold series of discussions that will explore potential partnerships in a key market
for the airline.
Riyadh Air, which will launch operations later this year, is poised to significantly enhance connectivity
and growth opportunities between the two nations, with India expected to become Saudi Arabia’s top
tourism source market by 2030.
The Saudi Tourism Authority aims to welcome 7.5 million visitors from India per annum by the close of the decade.
Statistics show that the number of Indians traveling to Saudi Arabia increased by 50 percent in 2023
to more than 1.5 million following a series of strategic initiatives.
Douglas said: “India has long been a crucial part of Riyadh Air’s network planning ahead of our operations launch. India is a beautiful nation which will play a big part in the success story of our airline, as travel and business opportunities multiply with the expanded offerings we are set to provide.
“Beyond connecting people, fostering economic growth, and enhancing and diversifying the Saudi Arabian and Indian tourism sectors, Riyadh Air’s network will help develop even stronger bonds between the two great countries.
“As the world’s first digital native airline, we are dedicated to partnering with entities across a variety of aviation stakeholders in India to create a sustainable, prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship that delivers exceptional travel experiences”, Douglas said.
Saudi Arabia and India enjoy cordial and friendly relations that reflect the two nations’ centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. Diplomatic relations were established between Saudi Arabia and India in 1947.
Riyadh Air is set to fly to more than 100 destinations by 2030, increase Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP growth by USD 20 billion, and directly and indirectly create more than 200,000 new jobs globally
and locally.
UNI GV 1730
Tags: #Ahead of launching Indian operations# Riyadh Air delegation visits India to explore partnerships
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