From runway to rooftops: Say hello to Riyadh Air's new helicopter service
The airline everyone’s watching just unlocked a whole new way to fly
Say goodbye to Riyadh traffic and hello to straight-up convenience. Just when we thought the travel game couldn’t get any more elevated, Riyadh Air drops a surprise: a sleek new helicopter service.
At the recent Dubai Airshow, Riyadh Air and The Helicopter Company (THC) – both Public Investment Fund (PIF) entities – signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to reshape premium mobility in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership marks a significant step in integrating advanced air mobility solutions into the Kingdom’s expanding aviation ecosystem, and a key milestone in Riyadh Air’s mission to redefine the modern travel experience.
View this post on Instagram
The agreement sets the foundation for a new era of seamless travel, enabling Riyadh Air passengers to connect effortlessly from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to destinations across Riyadh and beyond via helicopter. Similar to services already popular in cities like New York and Nice, the initiative aims to offer fast, personalised, and efficient transfers, dramatically reducing city commute times.
The partnership comes as Riyadh Air prepares to launch commercial operations with a state-of-the-art fleet designed to elevate the Kingdom’s position as a global aviation hub. By incorporating helicopter transfers into its offering, the airline aims to deliver a differentiated, premium product tailored to travellers seeking speed, personalisation, and convenience from the runway to their final destination.
With both companies now working to identify routes and operational frameworks, the service is expected to become a defining feature of Riyadh’s future mobility landscape, supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader push toward innovation across aviation, tourism, and urban transport.
Riyadh Air already operates daily flights from RUH to London Heathrow (LHR) for select passenger groups, as part of its preparations for its ‘Pathway to Perfect’ and will be revealing more of its route network shortly.
The airline’s digital native approach, paired with a modern, state-of-the-art fleet and a commitment to sustainability in its operations and environmental footprint, is set to redefine the future of air travel and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global aviation hub.
Riyadh Air will continue to partner with global travel organisations, airlines and other partners to help strengthen strategic sectors and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes tourism and aviation as core elements.
And with helicopter transfers now entering the picture, one thing is clear: consider your commute officially upgraded.
Images: Riyadh Air / Social
