Riyadh Air steps up recruitment ahead of full rollout

• More then 2m applications so far
• Holding global recruitment roadshows
• No hiring slowdown during conflict

Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier Riyadh Air is continuing its global recruitment drive and has already received more than 2 million job applications as it works towards a full commercial launch.

The airline had been expected to begin full operations earlier this year following a soft launch in October 2025, but the timeline has shifted as it scales up staffing and infrastructure ahead of a broader rollout.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion Public Investment Fund (PIF), the carrier is expanding its recruitment drive into South America, with roadshows planned in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia as it seeks experienced pilots and up to 15,000 cabin crew.

Recruitment events have already taken place in the UK, France, Spain, Poland, South Korea, India and the Philippines. Around 40 percent of applications have come from Saudi Arabia, according to a company spokesperson.

“We’ve had no slowdown or impact on hiring during the regional situation,” the spokesperson told AGBI, alluding to the ongoing Iran conflict.

The airline launched initial flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow Airport on October 26, limited to staff and family members. 

A date for Riyadh Air’s full commercial rollout is yet to be confirmed, although tickets are now publicly available, with destinations from King Khalid International Airport including Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester.

“We’ve seen strong early demand and will phase in full operations as our new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft are delivered to Riyadh,” the spokesperson said.

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Riyadh Air placed an order for up to 72 787-9 aircraft in March 2023 and launched cargo operations in January, delivering its first shipment to Heathrow. The airline also has 110 aircraft on order from Airbus.

The spokesperson said five of the 787-9 jets are currently in the final stages of completion and nearing delivery.

Riyadh Air aims to connect to more than 100 destinations by 2030. PIF predicts that the airline will contribute $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and support more than 200,000 jobs globally.