Riyadh Air starts flights from Dhaka

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has launched daily direct flights between Riyadh and Dhaka, adding another option for passengers travelling between the two countries.

The airline’s inaugural flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday morning after departing Riyadh on Friday, marking its entry into the Bangladeshi market.

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The new service is Riyadh Air’s ninth operating destination since it began operations on June 10, according to a statement from the carrier.

The daily flights will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with passengers offered Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

The route connects two major commercial centres and comes amid strong demand for travel between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, as the two countries have extensive ties in trade, investment, labour migration, tourism and religious travel.

According to International Air Transport Association data cited by Riyadh Air, Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia was the ninth-largest country-pair passenger market serving the Middle East in the January-March quarter of 2026.

The direct service is expected to facilitate travel for Bangladeshis visiting Saudi Arabia for business, tourism, Umrah and Hajj, while also providing Saudi travellers with direct access to Bangladesh.

Passengers flying from Dhaka can also connect through Riyadh to other destinations on Riyadh Air’s growing network, including Jeddah.

The airline said its passengers would have access to onboard Wi-Fi and an in-flight entertainment system, while members of its Sfeer loyalty programme would receive additional benefits and rewards.

Tickets are available through the Riyadh Air website and app, as well as travel agents and other booking platforms.