Saudi Arabia to launch new national carrier 'RIA'

Tags: International News

Saudi Arabia is finalizing the launch of its new international airline "RIA".

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The launch of this new project, backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has been underway for the past 12 months.

• Once launched, it will become Saudi's second national carrier.

• It will be based at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

• This is unprecedented in the history of the Saudi Arabian aviation sector.

• Saudi Arabia is targeting 30 million international transit passengers by 2030, while it currently stands at less than 4 million.

• This will mean the new carrier would need to operate more than 150 routes globally in Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.

• This would require an investment of $30 billion.

• Emirates currently flies to 158 destinations in 85 countries.

Saudi Arabia :

• King - Salman

• Capital - Riyadh

• Currency - Saudi Arabian riyal

• Official Language    - Arabic

• Official Religion - Islam