Riyadh: Riyadh Air has identified Kuala Lumpur as its first Southeast Asian destination on the back of strong travel demand between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, with plans to increase its current three-times-weekly service to daily flights, its chief commercial officer Vincent Coste said. Coste stated that Malaysia was selected as the airline's initial destination in the region due to significant travel demand in both directions. Saudi travelers visit Malaysia primarily for leisure, while Malaysians travel to Saudi Arabia for religious purposes, business, and increasingly, for tourism.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Coste expressed optimism about the potential for development on this route, indicating that the airline started with three flights a week but aims to transition to daily flights swiftly. Riyadh Air commenced its operations in June and has already opened several destinations, including Jeddah, Dubai, and Cairo, with plans to expand to 100 destinations by 2030. Coste made these remarks to reporters after welcoming Riyadh Air's inaugural flight from Riyadh at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
The inaugural flight from Riyadh landed at KLIA at 12.03 pm, with Coste and Malaysia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Datuk Syed Mohamad Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, among the passengers. They were received by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Malaysia, Osamah Dakhel R. Al-Ahmadi. Malaysia Airports managing director, Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani, was also present to mark the occasion.
Coste anticipated an increase in demand for connections to Jeddah, particularly for umrah travel, and stronger transit traffic to Europe, Africa, and other international destinations via Riyadh starting next year. Addressing competition from established Middle Eastern carriers, Coste highlighted Riyadh Air's focus on strong point-to-point demand and leveraging Riyadh's status as the capital of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) largest country.
He emphasized that Riyadh's position as a capital city with 8.5 million residents serves as a key differentiator compared to larger hubs in the region. Riyadh Air aims to capitalize on this strong point-to-point traffic, which forms the core of its operational strategy.
Coste also mentioned that the airline has established partnerships with several international carriers and sees potential for a relationship with Malaysia Airlines to enhance regional connectivity. He noted that Malaysia Airlines is a reputable carrier, and collaboration with them could be beneficial. Additionally, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to boost tourism, presents mutual opportunities for both countries.
On the subject of major international sporting events, such as the Formula One (F1) Bahrain Gulf Air Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in October, Coste expressed confidence that these events would boost passenger demand. Riyadh Air's non-stop Kuala Lumpur-Riyadh service offers travelers a convenient alternative to connecting through other regional hubs.
Furthermore, Coste mentioned that the airline anticipates cargo operations on the Kuala Lumpur-Riyadh route to include fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, as well as other perishable goods. Kuala Lumpur is expected to serve as a consolidation point for shipments from across Southeast Asia.