Riyadh Air CEO on Building an Airline from Scratch
Skift Take
If you thought being CEO of an international airline was tough, try starting one from scratch. That's the formidable challenge facing Tony Douglas and his team as Riyadh Air prepares to launch later this year.
In this special episode of the Airline Weekly Lounge, host Gordon Smith speaks with Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, about the launch of the new national carrier for Saudi Arabia.
They discuss the airline's ambitious plans, including its upcoming Air Operator Certificate, the importance of digital transformation in enhancing guest experience, and the strategic partnerships being formed with other airlines.
Douglas later shares insights into the fleet development, including orders for Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and the significance of loyalty programs in building customer engagement.
This episode is presented by Riyadh Air.
Listen to This Podcast
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS
Takeaways
- Riyadh Air aims to connect over 100 cities in five years.
- The airline has no legacy, allowing for innovative digital solutions.
- Achieving the AOC is a rigorous process ensuring compliance and capability.
- Digital transformation is key to enhancing guest experience.
- Hyper-personalization will cater to individual traveler preferences.
- Partnerships with established airlines are crucial for growth.
- Loyalty programs will be a foundation for customer engagement.
- The airline is actively seeking new widebody aircraft.
- Flexibility in aircraft orders allows for adjustments as needed.
Photo Credit: Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air Skift
Up Next
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
What India's Biggest Airline CEOs Think
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat debrief on two big-name interviews from the Skift India Forum 2025. The pair digest key takeaways from Air India CEO, Campbell Wilson, and Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo.
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
The Kings of the Caribbean
In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat examine the key players serving the Caribbean from the United States. In part two, we take a closer look at the latest financials from Lufthansa.
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
The World's Most Profitable Airlines
With most of the key results in, we've a good idea of how the world's airlines performed in Q4 2024. Not everyone was a winner, but there was plenty to cheer about.
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
The Day Southwest Airlines Changed Forever
Bags fly free has been in the airline's DNA for as long as anyone can remember. What does it mean for the airline when that’s not always true anymore?
The Airline Weekly Lounge Podcast
British Airways Is a Profit Machine
When the North Atlantic market is good, British Airways performs strongly. BA's spectacular numbers suggest something is going very right.