RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA- Riyadh Air (RX) has postponed the launch of flights to Manchester Airport (MAN), delaying what was expected to become the airline’s sixth destination. The route, originally scheduled to begin on July 23, will now commence on September 19 as the carrier adjusts its expanding network.
The revised schedule comes as Riyadh Air continues to rapidly grow its Boeing 787-9 fleet and international network. The airline is aligning the Manchester (MAN) launch with the start of new services to Islamabad (ISB) and Lahore (LHE) to strengthen transit connections.
Riyadh Air Adjusts Manchester Route Launch
Manchester was initially expected to join London Heathrow (LHR), Dubai (DXB), Jeddah (JED), Cairo (CAI), and Madrid (MAD) as one of the first destinations served by Riyadh Air. The airline had planned to inaugurate the route on July 23, but the service did not begin as scheduled.
The postponement reflects Riyadh Air’s evolving network strategy as it continues one of the aviation industry’s fastest airline launches. Route planning and launch dates have been adjusted several times as the carrier adds aircraft, expands operational capacity, and coordinates new destinations.
The Manchester service is now scheduled to begin on September 19. The revised timing is intended to coincide with the introduction of flights to Islamabad and Lahore, allowing the airline to offer stronger onward connections through its Riyadh hub.
Pakistan Connections Drive the Revised Timeline
A key factor behind the delay is Riyadh Air’s plan to compete in the large passenger market traveling between Manchester and Pakistan.
Manchester serves one of the United Kingdom’s largest Pakistani communities, creating significant demand for flights to cities such as Islamabad and Lahore. By launching all three routes within a similar timeframe, Riyadh Air expects to attract passengers seeking convenient one-stop connections through Riyadh.
This approach allows the airline to compete more effectively with established carriers already serving the UK to Pakistan market through their respective hub airports.
Airline Continues Expanding Network
While the Manchester launch has been delayed, Riyadh Air has continued expanding its route network.
The airline recently introduced seasonal services to Malaga Airport (AGP), targeting leisure travelers from Saudi Arabia during the summer months. It has also launched flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), further expanding its presence in Asia.
PIF-backed carrier also started flights to the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, India, with the launch of the Mumbai route.
These additions demonstrate that the airline remains focused on rapid international growth while making operational adjustments where necessary to optimize network performance.
Fleet Growth Supports Rapid Expansion
Riyadh Air currently operates seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and continues to receive new aircraft at an aggressive pace.
According to the airline, a new Boeing 787-9 is being delivered approximately every two weeks. The steady arrival of additional aircraft provides the capacity needed to support new route launches across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The airline’s rapid fleet expansion is among the fastest seen during the launch phase of a new full-service international carrier. As more aircraft enter service, Riyadh Air is expected to continue refining its schedule while introducing additional destinations.
Although passengers planning to travel between Riyadh and Manchester will have to wait until September, the revised launch is expected to strengthen the route by offering improved connectivity to Pakistan from the first day of operations.
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