Turkish Airlines and Riyadh Air have agreed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding to offer a comprehensive range of benefits for passengers traveling between the Kingdom, Türkiye and points beyond their Riyadh and Istanbul hubs.
The MoU lays the ground for deeper future collaborations between the two carriers.
Interline and Codeshare Agreement
The cornerstone of this collaboration lies in the comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement between Turkish Airlines and Riyadh Air.
Passengers of both airlines will now have the seamless opportunity to connect between and combine sectors operated by either carrier.
The agreement was formally signed at a ceremony during the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2023) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Levent Konukcu, Chief Investment & Technology Officer of Turkish Airlines, and Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, put pen to paper, solidifying their commitment to this new collaboration.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a partnership that is poised to redefine the dynamics of air travel between Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Loyalty Programs and Other Services
One of the standout features of this collaboration is the integration of loyalty programs. Members of Turkish Airlines and Riyadh Air loyalty programs will now earn points or credits when traveling on codeshare services operated by the partner airline.
Both airlines are actively exploring opportunities to develop a broader loyalty agreement that encompasses their extensive global networks.
The Memorandum of Understanding not only focuses on immediate benefits but also outlines a commitment to exploring and implementing broader synergies and efficiencies.
This extends across the entire value chain, encompassing areas such as aviation-related services, cargo, and digital development.
Both Turkish Airlines and Riyadh Air are committed to unlocking new possibilities that go beyond conventional collaborations in the aviation sector.
Stakeholder Statements
Levent Konukcu, Chief Investment & Technology Officer of Turkish Airlines, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing its role as a bridge between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
He highlighted the potential to expand reach and provide guests with more choices and convenience, anticipating significant contributions to the tourism and business sectors of both nations.
Riyadh Air CEO, Tony Douglas, echoed this sentiment, considering the agreement a significant step in Riyadh Air’s evolution. He emphasized the seamless connectivity offered through Istanbul Airport, a global hub with access to 130 destinations worldwide.
This partnership aligns with Riyadh Air’s mission to enhance connectivity for its passengers and stimulate tourism, religious travel, and business engagements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Significance for Saudi Arabia’s Economy
The establishment of Riyadh Air aligns with the Public Investment Fund’s mandate to unlock key sectors’ capabilities, contributing to the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy.
This new airline not only supports the Saudi Aviation Strategy’s broader vision but also aligns with the National Tourism Strategy.
Riyadh Air is poised to unlock Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions, attracting international tourists and creating employment opportunities.
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