Riyadh Air to inaugurate London Flights from October 26th onwards

Riyadh,October 8, 2025:

Riyadh Air has announced its 2025 debut with the commencement of its first daily flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on October 26th. Riyadh Air has also unveiled its loyalty offering, which will provide exclusive benefits to its early Founding Members through “The Founders” and showcase the future direction for dynamic loyalty programs.

Operational Excellence:

Beginning October 26th, Riyadh Air will commence daily launch flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) aboard its designated Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft, “Jamila”. These carefully sequenced flights, initially on sale to select groups and Riyadh Air employees, are a critical phase in ensuring unparalleled operational readiness ahead of receiving the first aircraft deliveries from Boeing, while utilizing Riyadh Air’s recently awarded slot at London Heathrow (LHR). Flights will depart Riyadh at 0315 (RX401) with an early morning arrival time into London Heathrow at 0730, the return flights depart London at 0930 (RX402), arriving back to Riyadh at 1915 (all times local).

This important phase of Pathway to Perfect will see flights to Dubai added soon after, transparently demonstrating Riyadh Air’s rigorous commitment to operational excellence. Through a thorough assessment program of these initial launch flights on Jamila, the airline is building operational strength for a smooth, reliable, and world-class premium travel experience, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to the highest standards of quality. Further exciting new routes are set to be announced in the coming weeks for winter 2025 and summer 2026.

“This isn’t just a launch; it’s a tangible realization of a vision to connect Saudi Arabia to the world, a core pillar of Saudi Vision 2030,” stated Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air. “Our commitment to begin operations in 2025 is being fulfilled. This rigorous flight program on Jamila allows us to fine-tune every detail, ensuring a seamless, reliable, and world-class experience. This carefully sequenced approach is our pathway to perfect, and we are now incredibly close to full operations with further destinations to be announced in the coming weeks as our new aircraft are delivered.”

Sfeer: The Future of Loyalty, Designed for a Generation in Motion

Sfeer, meaning “Ambassador” in Arabic and blended with the English word “sphere”, embodies the vibrant, generous spirit of Saudi Arabia. As it rolls out, Sfeer is set to become one of the world’s most unique and exciting loyalty programs, seamlessly combining community engagement with gamified experiences, all while unlocking the very best of Saudi. Uniquely, Sfeer members will be able to share level points within their community, plus many other membership benefits that will enhance the experience of their friends and family.

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

 

Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

 

On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

 

We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

  • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
  • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
  • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
  • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

 

Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

 

Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed advertisers and partners. Your unwavering support empowers us in our ongoing endeavor to make Aviation World a truly world-class publication with global reach and recognition.

 

Happy Reading!

 

The Editorial Team

 

Aviation World

NEWSLETTER

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We have started 2026 on a very positive note and we look forward to increase our footprints to more locations and induct many more new companies in our campaign.. Do write to us at : editor@aviationworld.in

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