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PARIS- French flag carrier, Air France (AF) will expand its long-haul network with a new direct route connecting Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia beginning May 19, 2025.
The carrier will initially operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from May 19 to June 1, 2025. Service will increase to five weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting June 2, 2025 for the remainder of the summer season.
Photo: Clément AlloingAir France Paris to Riyadh Flights
Flights will utilize Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured with 324 seats, including 34 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy, and 266 Economy Class seats.
- The flight schedule includes AF684 departing Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 11:20 p.m. and arriving in Riyadh at 6:25 a.m. the following day.
- Return flight AF685 will depart Riyadh at 8:40 a.m. and arrive in Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 2:20 p.m.
This addition completes Air France-KLM Group’s comprehensive service to Saudi Arabia, with Transavia France already connecting Paris-Orly and Lyon to Jeddah since December 2024, while KLM serves Riyadh and Dammam from its Amsterdam-Schiphol hub.
The new route strengthens Air France’s existing partnership with Saudia Airlines while enhancing connectivity between Europe and the Middle East.
Riyadh, located in the Nafud desert, received UNESCO “World Heritage Site of the Arab States” designation in 2020. The Saudi capital blends historical heritage with modern architecture, featuring both cultural landmarks and contemporary skyscrapers that offer panoramic city views.
Also Read: Air France Makes Changes to US Flight and Aircraft Routes
Photo: Clément AlloingAirlines Rushing to Riyadh
Cathay Pacific (CX) resumed direct flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh on October 28, 2024, establishing the only nonstop service connecting these financial centers. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po led a 100-member delegation of financial, technology, and innovation representatives to Saudi Arabia for the inaugural flight.
The Hong Kong carrier operates Airbus A350-900 aircraft on this route three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, offering business, premium economy, and economy class services. This relaunch follows a seven-year hiatus after the route’s cancellation in March 2017 due to insufficient demand.
Air India Express (IX) inaugurated flights between Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and Riyadh on September 9, 2024. This route strengthens the established partnership between Gulf nations and Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Virgin Atlantic (VS) will introduce daily flights to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, leveraging Saudi Arabia’s economic expansion driven by Vision 2030. The route aims to enhance UK-Saudi trade, which reached £17.1 billion in 2023 and targets £30 billion by 2030. Air travel between the countries is projected to increase 24% from 2019 to 2035.
Riyadh’s rapid development includes new business districts, an F1 circuit, and entertainment complexes, making it an appealing destination while serving as a gateway to Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
As the Middle East’s largest economy and 20th globally, Saudi Arabia presents significant opportunities. The service will primarily serve Saudi Arabian travelers visiting the UK and connecting to North American destinations via Virgin Atlantic and Delta networks, addressing the growing “visiting friends and relatives” market that reflects a fivefold increase in Saudis living in the UK between 2000 and 2018.
Photo: Clément AlloingVirgin Atlantic will deploy A330neo aircraft on the Riyadh route with 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight, facilitating transport of fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and specialized goods between Riyadh, the UK, and the US.
Akasa Air (QP) operated its maiden flight from Mumbai to Riyadh on June 15, 2024. Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, hosted the launch event at Mumbai Airport. The airline initially offers six weekly services and will transition to daily flights effective July 1, 2024.
Flight QP567 departs Mumbai at 20:05, arriving in Riyadh at 21:55, while QP568 departs Riyadh at 22:55, arriving in Mumbai at 05:35 the following day.
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