Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, Riyadh Air, launched its first scheduled service to Bangladesh on Saturday, 8 August, with its inaugural flight from Riyadh landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrived at around 6:30 a.m. local time and was welcomed with a traditional water salute to mark the airline’s debut in the Bangladeshi market.

A ceremony held at the airport was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafer H. Bin Abiya, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad, and Riyadh Air Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Coste.

Addressing the event, the speakers said the launch of the route reflects Riyadh Air’s ambition to connect Saudi Arabia with major cities around the world while providing passengers with a premium travel experience.

They said the new non-stop service would strengthen air connectivity between Dhaka and Riyadh and help meet growing demand for both business and leisure travel between the two countries.

Riyadh Air will operate the route with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on a daily basis.

Under the published schedule, flights will depart Riyadh at 9:20 p.m. local time and arrive in Dhaka at 6:30 a.m. the following day. The return service will leave Dhaka at 7:40 a.m. and arrive in Riyadh at 10:55 a.m. local time.

With the launch of the new service, Riyadh Air joins Saudia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and US-Bangla Airlines in operating direct flights between the capitals of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.