Turkish Airlines and Riyadh Air forge strategic cooperation with MoU

Monday, December 4, 2023

Turkish Airlines (TK) and Riyadh Air (RX) have formalized a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of providing an extensive array of advantages to travelers between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and destinations beyond their respective hubs in Riyadh and Istanbul. The agreement also paves the way for future deepened collaborations. Passengers of both airlines will enjoy the benefits of a seamless interline and codeshare agreement, facilitating smooth connections and the ability to combine segments operated by either Riyadh Air or Turkish Airlines.

The signing ceremony, attended by Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Technology Officer Levent Konukcu and Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, took place during the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2023) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The envisioned benefits are set to be accessible to guests shortly after the commencement of Riyadh Air’s operations in mid-2025, contingent upon regulatory approvals from relevant authorities.

Under this cooperation, members of each airline’s loyalty program will earn points or credits when utilizing codeshare services of the other, with discussions underway to potentially expand this into a more comprehensive loyalty agreement covering both global networks. Beyond guest benefits, the Memorandum of Understanding commits Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines to collaborative efforts in exploring and implementing broader synergies and efficiencies across various aspects of the aviation value chain, including aviation-related services, cargo, and digital development.

Levent Konukcu, Chief Investment & Technology Officer at Turkish Airlines, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, describing the Memorandum of Understanding as more than a collaboration but a bridge strengthening ties between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the opportunity to broaden reach and enhance convenience for guests, anticipating positive impacts on tourism and business sectors in both countries.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas hailed the agreement as a significant milestone in Riyadh Air’s evolution, marking a partnership with the world’s largest global airline by destinations served. He highlighted the benefits of seamless connectivity through Istanbul Airport to over 130 destinations worldwide, particularly in Türkiye, Europe, and the Americas. Douglas also underscored the strategic importance of bilateral agreements with established network airlines, anticipating increased connectivity for passengers and a boost to tourism, religious, and business travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The establishment of Riyadh Air aligns with the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) mandate to unlock key sector capabilities to drive economic diversification in Saudi Arabia. The airline is poised to support the broader vision of the Saudi Aviation Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy, unlocking the country’s cultural and natural attractions for international tourists while contributing to job creation.

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