Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, Riyadh Air, will begin daily direct flights between Dhaka and Riyadh on August 1, intensifying competition in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing Saudi Arabia aviation market driven by expatriate and Umrah travel demand.
The move is expected to reshape one of Bangladesh’s busiest international routes, currently served mainly by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, and Saudia.
Md Sohag Hossain, Managing Director of Rhythm Group, the General Sales Agent (GSA) of Riyadh Air, told BSS that operational preparations are in their final stage. “We will begin daily flight operations from August 1,” he said, adding that the airline has applied for slots to operate seven weekly flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh route. The flight will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2pm and depart for Riyadh at 3pm.
Hossain noted that the airline is evaluating future expansion to Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah, with possible direct operations from Sylhet and Chattogram in later phases. A senior official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed that regulatory formalities have been completed and Riyadh Air is awaiting final approval of its operational schedule.
Aviation expert ATM Nazrul Islam said the carrier’s arrival will significantly intensify competition on Saudi-bound routes, particularly in pricing, transit connectivity, and service quality. “The addition of another full-service Gulf carrier operating daily flights will strengthen airfare competition, improve passenger connectivity, and expand travel options for nearly three million Bangladeshi expatriates living and working in Saudi Arabia,” he said. Islam added that Riyadh Air’s entry demonstrates growing international confidence in Bangladesh’s outbound travel market and its strategic importance within Gulf aviation networks.
The development follows discussions earlier this year between Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer H Bin Abiyah and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, during which the envoy confirmed Riyadh Air’s interest in launching operations from Dhaka. Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation in aviation and tourism, reflecting rising demand for connectivity between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Launched in 2023, Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, created as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. The airline, wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, aims to position Riyadh as a major global aviation and logistics hub. Led by former Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air plans to serve more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030, operating a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A321neos, and Airbus A350 aircraft.
Saudi authorities say the airline will contribute significantly to the non-oil economy and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs as part of the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation agenda.
Bangladesh’s aviation market has seen rapid growth in Gulf-bound traffic over the past decade, driven largely by overseas workers and religious travellers.
