Air France-KLM and Riyadh Air have officially announced a game-changing partnership, solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the prestigious 81st International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi. This groundbreaking agreement, unveiled on June 2, 2025, showcases a significant leap towards enhancing global air connectivity, particularly for travelers journeying between Riyadh, Paris, and Amsterdam, with onward connections to various destinations worldwide.

At the heart of this strategic alliance is a shared vision to fortify air network connectivity. A spokesperson for the airlines revealed, "The collaboration between Air France-KLM and Riyadh Air aims to maximize connecting opportunities through Riyadh Air's hub in Riyadh, as well as Air France-KLM's hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol."

This partnership encompasses interline agreements, codeshare arrangements, and reciprocal recognition of loyalty programs, all designed to streamline the travel experience for passengers. Tony Douglas, the CEO of Riyadh Air, and Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, expressed their excitement regarding the prospective opportunities that this collaboration will unlock, spanning Western Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Saudi Arabia.

"The aspiration behind our partnership with Air France-KLM is to connect Riyadh to global destinations, leveraging our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centric services," stated Douglas enthusiastically. He further emphasized, "This venture will amplify our international presence, bolster our growth trajectory, and reinforce our support for Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification goals."

In addition to integrating their flight networks, Riyadh Air and Air France-KLM are eager to enhance the overall travel experiences of their respective clientele. The strategic alliance will delve into synergies related to loyalty programs, operational synergies, and shared airport lounge access, with a keen focus on added value for passengers.

Smith acknowledged the evolving significance of Saudi Arabia as a prominent aviation market, noting, "With this collaborative agreement with Riyadh Air, we aim to consolidate our foothold in the region while expanding service offerings to our valued customers." He added, "Through this partnership, we are excited to merge our networks and expertise, presenting our combined customers with enhanced choices and seamless travel experiences. This collaboration further complements our existing partnership with SkyTeam in the region."

Beyond bridging air networks, Riyadh Air and Air France-KLM are committed to exploring avenues for enhancing their customers' journeys through coordinated efforts in aircraft maintenance, digital innovation, sustainable practices, and cargo transport. This multifaceted partnership signifies a pivotal moment in the aviation industry, heralding a new era of connectivity and customer-centric service delivery.