Air France-KLM and nascent Saudi carrier Riyadh Air have entered a ¡®strategic partnership¡¯ to expand route connectivity and offer reciprocal loyalty programme rewards, the carriers announced this week at the IATA annual general meeting in New Delhi.
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The airlines said the partnership, subject to regulatory approvals, will ¡°gradually introduce a wide range of benefits¡± for travellers, including lounge access and operational support. The collaboration will also extend to areas such as maintenance, digital transformation, sustainability and cargo services.
Riyadh Air, first announced in 2023, is set to commence services from its hub in the Saudi capital by late 2025 following approval in April.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: ¡°This partnership not only strengthens our international network but also reinforces confidence in our growth trajectory and our role in supporting Saudi Arabia¡¯s broader economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.¡±
Air France and KLM recently launched services to Riyadh from their respective hubs in Paris and Amsterdam, with group CEO Benjamin Smith stating: ¡°We aim to continue increasing our footprint in the region¡±. ?
¡°We look forward to combining our networks and expertise with Riyadh Air, and to offer our mutual customers more choice and convenience. This cooperation is complementary to our SkyTeam partner in the region,¡± Smith said in a statement.?