Riyadh Air, the new airline backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, undertook a low-altitude flight over its home base city of Riyadh on Monday afternoon.

The airline is set to launch in 2025, and recently revealed its indigo and lavender livery.

The carrier says that the ‘Canopy twist’ motif over the aircraft is such that its linear lines are intended to represent “the harmony between our rich local culture and modern global outlook.”

The flight over Riyadh commenced at 1pm local time and saw the aircraft move over landmarks across the city including Boulevard Riyadh City, Kingdom Center which houses the Four Seasons, King Saud University, King Khalid Grand Mosque and Al Faisaliah Tower and finally over Al Murabba.

The 30-minute Riyadh Air flight was accompanied by a jet from Saudi Hawks – the Royal Saudi Air Force Aerobatic Team.

Gearing up for its 2025 launch, Riyadh Air has already announced an order of up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft as part of a multi-billion-dollar deal. It included 39 confirmed aircraft with an option to acquire 33 additional widebody 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Within Saudi Arabia, the carrier is forecasted to add US$20 billion to the kingdom’s non-oil GDP growth and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

It is expected to connect to more than 100 destinations by 2030.

To commemorate the new flight, Riyadh Air also introduced a new snapchat lens.

All of Riyadh Air’s upcoming Boeing aircraft will be designed, assembled and delivered at the manufacturer’s facility in Charleston, South Carolina. The deal will support nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and more than 300 suppliers from across 38 states, including 145 US small businesses.

riyadhair.com