Photo: Collected

By Tanzim Anwar    

DHAKA, May 22, 2026 (BSS) - Saudi Arabia's new national carrier, Riyadh Air, is set to launch daily direct Dhaka-Riyadh flights on August 1, intensifying competition in Bangladesh's booming Saudi Arabia aviation market driven by expatriate and Umrah travel demand.

The Saudi carrier's entry is expected to reshape one of Bangladesh's busiest international aviation markets, currently dominated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines and Saudia.

“The airline is now in the final stage of operational preparations to launch Daily Dhaka flight from August 1,” a high official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) told BSS today.

The official said the airline has applied for slots to operate seven weekly flights on the Dhaka-Riyadh route.

The flight is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:00 pm before departing for Riyadh at 3:00 pm.

The official also said the airline is evaluating future expansion to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, while considering direct operations from Sylhet and Chattogram in later phases.

Another senior official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh familiar with the development said all regulatory formalities for Riyadh Air have been completed, with the airline now awaiting final approval of its operational schedule before commencing commercial flights.

Aviation expert ATM Nazrul Islam said the carrier's arrival could significantly intensify competition on Saudi-bound routes, particularly in pricing, transit connectivity and service quality.

"The addition of another full-service Gulf carrier operating daily services could create stronger airfare competition, improve passenger connectivity and expand travel options for nearly three million Bangladeshi expatriates living and working in Saudi Arabia," he said.

Islam observed that Riyadh Air's entry signals growing international confidence in Bangladesh's expanding outbound travel sector and increasing strategic importance within Gulf aviation networks.

The development follows discussions earlier this year between Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer H Bin Abiyah and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, during which the envoy confirmed Riyadh Air's strong interest in launching Dhaka operations.

Both sides at the time expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation in aviation and tourism, reflecting growing connectivity demand between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

Launched in 2023, Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia's new national carrier established as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

The airline is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and aims to position Riyadh as a major global aviation and logistics hub.

The airline is headed by former Etihad Airways chief executive Tony Douglas and plans to connect more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030 through a rapidly expanding fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A321neos and Airbus A350 aircraft.

Saudi authorities said Riyadh Air is expected to contribute significantly to the Kingdom's non-oil economy and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs as part of Saudi Arabia's broader economic transformation agenda.

Bangladesh's aviation market has witnessed rapid growth in Gulf-bound traffic over the past decade, driven largely by outbound workers and religious travellers.