Riyadh Air will fly in 2025, but it is already a super sponsor in the world of soccer
In a matter of months, Riyadh Air has taken over the world aviation and marketing scene without even operating [...]
Riyadh Air
Within a few months Riyadh Air took the world aviation and marketing stage without even operating a single flight. Miracles of the maxi investments of theSaudi Arabia which has decided to bet big on some strategic economic sectors by tipping the global balance.
From soccer to aviation: the acceleration of Saudi Arabia
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In soccer, for example, local teams recently began a sensational acquisition campaign that brought some of the world's top players to Saudi Arabia, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Neymar.
In air transport, however, the Arab country announced last March the creation of a new national airline - Riyadh Air precisely - with a ambitious development plan which provides for coexistence with Saudia and the push for medium- and long-haul routes to Europe, the Americas and Asia, challenging the Gulf biggies (Emirates, Qatar & co).
Without operating a single flight, however, Riyadh Air is already the main sponsor of Atletico Madrid, one of the most important soccer teams on the old continent. The company's first flights, in fact, will be operated starting in 2025, but some speculate even an advance to late 2024.
Riyadh Air's first flights.
In the first three months of its existence, the carrier placed a substantial order for aircraft (39 Aircraft B787-9 Dreamliner with options for 33 more) and unveiled at the Paris Air Show 2023 the first of two liveries.
Meanwhile, ceo Tony Douglas, has begun to suggest assumptions about the carrier's network. Riyadh Air's initial destinations, will "likely include all major capitals in Europe and of course the big cities in the east coast in the United States, as well as major capitals in the Far East," Douglas announced last June.
The agreement with Atletico Madrid.
Last August 10, then, Riyadh Air and Atletico Madrid have signed a multi-year partnership naming the airline as the club's main and official airline partner. The partnership marks a milestone for both parties and is the first sports sponsorship that Riyadh Air has signed since its official launch, which took place on March 12, 2023.
As part of the historic milestone, the Saudi Arabian airline will be the main sponsor and official partner of the club as part of a multi-year agreement. In addition to having Riyadh Air's presence on team kits, the strategic partnership will bring together two entities that share a passion for excellence, innovation and enable the airline and club to reach millions of fans around the world.
The joint statement by the two companies also confirmed the start of operations in 2025, with the aim of connecting the Kingdom's capital to more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. "As a full-service and digitally native airline, Riyadh Air will pioneer new technologies and innovations, offering guests authentic hospitality," the memo stressed.
"This is an incredibly exciting day for Riyadh Air," said Tony Douglas, ceo of Riyadh Air. "We believe this partnership is perfect, as both Riyadh Air and Atletico share commitment to excellence and a passion for connecting people and cultures around the world. This airline created a global reverberation the moment the livery was unveiled, and with this partnership, we are once again surprising the world as we move toward our inaugural flight in 2025."
European soccer and Arab planes: a love story
Partnerships between major soccer teams and airlines in the Arab region (Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways on all of them) have now been a reality for almost two decades in Europe. In this case, however, it is the first time that a carrier that has never yet operated a route has already become the main sponsor of one of the most famous clubs.
Looking forward to seeing Riyadh Air's first B787s. ply the skies; the Saudi company is definitely winning the marketing challenge by imposing itself strongly ( and big money) in a terrain manned by major competitors.
At this point one can expect more news, information and actions from the carrier in the next 18 months. On the other hand, to check out the operational and onboard services side, the appointment Is postponed until 2025 (or a few months earlier).
