Riyadh Air CEO on Building an Airline from Scratch

Riyadh Air CEO on Building an Airline from Scratch

Author: Skift April 3, 2025 Duration: 26:27
In this episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, host Gordon Smith speaks with Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, about the launch of the new national carrier for Saudi Arabia. They discuss the airline's ambitious plans, including achieving an Air Operator Certificate, the importance of digital transformation in enhancing guest experience, and the strategic partnerships being formed with other airlines. Tony shares insights into the fleet development, including orders for Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and the significance of loyalty programs in building customer engagement. The conversation highlights the exciting future of Riyadh Air as it prepares to take to the skies. Takeaways Riyadh Air aims to connect over 100 cities in five years. The airline has no legacy, allowing for innovative digital solutions. Achieving the AOC is a rigorous process ensuring compliance and capability. Digital transformation is key to enhancing guest experience. Hyper-personalization will cater to individual traveler preferences. Partnerships with established airlines are crucial for growth. Loyalty programs will be a foundation for customer engagement. The airline is actively seeking extra wide-body aircraft. Flexibility in aircraft orders allows for adjustments as needed. The future of Riyadh Air looks promising with ambitious growth plans. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

Step inside the Airline Weekly Lounge, a podcast from Skift where the editors behind the industry publication gather for a deeper, more conversational look at the world of commercial flight. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a focused exploration of the complex forces shaping how airlines operate, compete, and ultimately survive. Each episode digs into the week's most intriguing developments, from fleet strategies and route networks to labor dynamics and the evolving culture of travel, always with a keen eye on the bottom line. The central, driving question remains: how do carriers actually turn a profit in this famously volatile business? You'll hear analysis that connects financial results to real-world operations, discussing everything from premium cabin innovations and loyalty program economics to airport politics and environmental pressures. The tone is informed and accessible, peeling back the layers on both major global network carriers and regional players. For anyone curious about the business realities behind their boarding pass, this podcast offers a regular dose of context and clarity, revealing the intricate balance of economics, service, and strategy that keeps the industry aloft. Join the editors in the lounge for a perspective that goes beyond the news cycle.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 423

Airline Weekly Lounge
Podcast Episodes
The World’s All-Star Airports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
What's the ado with Austin, Cancun, Ho Chi Minh City, Paris Orly, and Riyadh? All of the airports are seeing tremendous growth above pre-pandemic levels. Edward Russell and Jay Shabat discuss why. Plus, Boeing's 737 Max:…
American Airlines’ Blended Travel Boom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:51
The "real revenue growth" at American Airlines is in blended trips, or travel that includes both business and personal aspects, Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja said at the Skift Global Forum earlier in September. Near…
Orlando Airport’s Rebound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
The U.S. travel recovery is strong, and maybe nearly complete. If there is one airport that epitomizes the strength of the leisure-first recovery, it is Orlando where seemingly endless domestic demand before the pandemic…
Indian Aviation’s Moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:56
Is Indian aviation's moment here? Air India under Tata ownership has a deal for new airplanes, while the country's largest airline, IndiGo, keeps growing and several new startups are adding new competition to the market.…
China's Red Ink [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:40
Chinese airlines struggled mightily during the first half of the year under the country's zero-Covid policy. The Big 3 all lost money but China Eastern, based in Shanghai — which suffered several lockdowns — lost the mos…
Hawaiian Airline's Recovery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:44
What does post-pandemic life like for a destination carrier like Hawaiian Airlines? CEO Peter Ingram joins Edward Russell to discuss the airline's recovery and outlook, including the long-awaited reopening of Japan. Plus…
The London Airport Crunch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:49
Flying through London is getting a little better with the end of capacity caps at Gatwick Airport. But constraints remain in place at Heathrow until the end of October, and British Airways has already reduced its schedul…
Lufthansa, ITA and European Airline Consolidation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
The Lufthansa Group has spent the better part of 20 years trying to improve its fortunes through consolidation. Some deals, like of Swiss, have been winners, others, like of Austrian and Brussels, not so much. Edward Rus…
Southwest's Airports Czar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:52
Meet Steve Sisneros, the airport czar at Southwest Airlines. As vice president of airport affairs, he oversees current and future real estate at the carrier's 121 airports. Edward Russell and Sisneros chat about Southwes…
Southwest Airline’s Secret Weapon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:22
Southwest Airlines had a secret weapon in the second quarter: Its fuel hedges. That helped propel it to an impressive 17% operating margin. High oil prices pulled down the results of most other U.S. airlines during what…