Riyadh Air, the Saudi Arabian national carrier, has confirmed the launch of a new direct flight route between Manchester Airport and Riyadh, starting July 23. This service marks the first direct link between the north of England and the Saudi capital in decades, eliminating the need for passengers to rely on connecting flights through European hubs or other Gulf airports.
Flight Schedule and Aircraft
The airline will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Flight RX417 departs from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport at 1:45 AM local time, arriving in Manchester at 6:40 AM. The return flight, RX418, leaves Manchester at 8:40 AM and lands in Riyadh at 5:20 PM local time. The route will be served by Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring wider seating, advanced lighting systems, and technology designed to reduce jet lag on long-haul journeys.
Benefits for Travelers
The new direct service is designed to appeal to both business and leisure passengers. Business travelers can attend meetings in Riyadh without overnight layovers, while holidaymakers can travel to Saudi Arabia without connecting flights. According to Riyadh Air, the route is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to boost tourism, strengthen global connections, and expand the aviation sector.
Expansion Plans
Riyadh Air, founded in 2023, plans to grow its fleet to over 100 aircraft within the next decade and connect travelers to more than 100 international destinations. The Manchester route is among the first international services in its summer 2026 expansion program, with additional routes from London also planned.
Travel between the UK and Saudi Arabia has been increasing, with weekly seat capacity surging by up to 150% in recent years. British Airways has boosted its London Heathrow to Riyadh service to 14 weekly flights and its Jeddah route to five weekly flights. Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic have also launched direct routes from Gatwick and Heathrow to Saudi cities including Medina, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
