Riyadh Air Launches New Nonstop Route, Daily Flights Coming in October

Written By: Hrittik Shaw

Hrittik Shaw

Bio-Hrittik Shaw is a travel news writer with a passion for uncovering global tourism trends, aviation developments, destination insights, and hospitality innovations. He specialises in producing well-researched, data-driven, and engaging reports that simplify complex travel industry developments for a global audience. His work focuses on tourism policies, airline news, sustainable travel, infrastructure, emerging destinations, and international travel trends, helping readers stay informed about the rapidly evolving world of travel.

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September 10, 2026 14:58 GMT+5:30

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For travelers between Riyadh and Manila, getting from one capital to the other has just become a little easier. Riyadh Air has officially started nonstop flights between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Manila, Philippines, opening a new link for families, business travelers and holidaymakers looking for a direct journey between the two cities. The inaugural service took off on September 9, 2026, marking another step in Riyadh Air’s rapidly expanding international network.

Riyadh Air takes off for Manila

The new service connects King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. According to Saudi Press Agency, the inaugural flight, RX873, departed Riyadh on September 9, officially making Manila the airline’s 13th destination and its seventh destination in Asia.

The launch comes as Riyadh Air continues building its international network under Saudi Arabia’s wider aviation expansion strategy. The airline is a Saudi national carrier owned by the Public Investment Fund, and its growing network is intended to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as an international aviation hub.

For passengers, however, the significance is much simpler: a new direct option means less time spent changing planes and another choice when planning a journey between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.

Four weekly flights at launch

Although the route was previously announced with plans for daily operations, the latest official information confirms that the service has launched with four flights per week.

That frequency will not remain unchanged for long. Riyadh Air and Saudi Press Agency say the route is scheduled to increase to daily service from October 19, 2026.

The increase should make the route considerably more convenient for travelers who need flexibility around work schedules, family visits or short holidays.

Riyadh Air’s current Manila destination page also lists four flights per week, confirming the present operating pattern.

Boeing 787-9 brings long-haul comfort

The Riyadh-Manila service is being operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, giving passengers a wide-body long-haul aircraft for the journey.

The aircraft choice is notable because the route involves a lengthy international journey. Riyadh Air is positioning its 787-9 as a central part of its long-haul passenger experience, making the Manila service more than simply a new point-to-point connection.

For travelers, the Dreamliner also means the route is designed around a full-service long-haul experience rather than a short regional flight.

Why Manila matters to Saudi travelers

Manila offers a mixture of history, culture, food and modern city life, making it an attractive destination for both first-time visitors and repeat travelers.

Riyadh Air highlights attractions including Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Rizal Park, Manila Bay, Makati and Bonifacio Global City on its official destination guide. The airline also promotes Filipino cuisine and experiences ranging from historic neighborhoods to modern shopping and entertainment districts.

For Saudi-based travelers, the new route therefore opens a direct gateway into the Philippine capital without requiring a connection elsewhere in Asia or the Middle East.

The route also has significance for the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia, giving passengers another direct travel option for visiting relatives and friends.

Riyadh could become a bigger connecting point

The importance of the route extends beyond travelers whose final destination is Riyadh or Manila.

Saudi Press Agency says the Manila service will provide passengers with onward connections through Riyadh to domestic and European destinations within Riyadh Air’s network.

That means a traveler departing from Manila could potentially use Riyadh as a connecting point for a wider journey, while travelers from Saudi Arabia can use Manila as an entry point into the Philippines.

As Riyadh Air adds more destinations, this hub-and-spoke element could become increasingly important to the airline’s long-term strategy.

A boost for tourism and trade

The Saudi Press Agency says the new route is expected to strengthen connectivity between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines while supporting travel, tourism and trade between the two countries.

The timing is also significant for Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation ambitions. The route forms part of the objectives of the Aviation Program under Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to expand international connectivity and increase the Kingdom’s global aviation reach.

For the Philippines, increased air connectivity can make it easier for international visitors to reach Manila and continue onward to other destinations around the country.

What travelers should know about Manila airport

Passengers arriving in Manila will use Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Philippines’ principal international gateway.

NAIA’s official flight system lists live arrivals and departures across its terminals, while its operator, New NAIA Infra Corp., is continuing efforts to improve airport operations and passenger services. In August, NNIC announced a new Airport Use Agreement framework with Philippine Airlines designed to establish clearer performance standards and improve operational efficiency.

Travelers should still check their flight information directly with Riyadh Air before departure, particularly during the initial period of the new route.

A new chapter in Saudi-Philippines connectivity

The Riyadh-Manila launch may look like a single new route on an aviation map, but for travelers it represents something more tangible: another direct way to cross between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The immediate choice is four weekly flights, but the planned move to daily service from October 19 could make the connection significantly more useful. For someone visiting family, planning a Philippine holiday or heading to Riyadh for business, having a nonstop Boeing 787-9 option can take some of the friction out of a long international journey. And as Riyadh Air continues expanding, this new link between Riyadh and Manila could become an increasingly important part of the travel network connecting Saudi Arabia with Asia and beyond.