Riyadh Air begins daily flights on Dhaka-Riyadh route

Dhaka: Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air has begun scheduled operations to Bangladesh.

It has added a new direct link between Dhaka and Riyadh as the newly established carrier expands its international network.

The airline's inaugural flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital on August 8.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner received a traditional water salute to mark its entry into the Bangladeshi market.

Officials from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh's aviation sector and Riyadh Air attended a ceremony at the airport.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H Bin Abiyah, HSIA Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad and Riyadh Air’s Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Coste addressed the ceremony.

They highlighted the new service's potential to strengthen travel and business ties between the two countries.

Riyadh Air is operating one daily flight between the two capitals.

The flights leave Riyadh at 9:20 p.m. local time and arrive in Dhaka at 6:10 a.m. the following day. The return flights depart Dhaka at 7:40 a.m. and reach Riyadh at 10:55 a.m.

The Boeing 787-9 deployed on the route features 30 business-class and 258 economy-class seats.

The new service comes as travel demand between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia remains strong.

Particularly among business travelers, tourists and passengers traveling for religious purposes, the demand seems to be the strongest.

Riyadh Air's entry also increases competition on the Dhaka-Riyadh market.

Saudia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines already operate direct services between the two destinations.

Riyadh Air is the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia after Saudia, based in Riyadh. Its main hub is at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, operating flights to over 100 destinations in six continents.