Riyadh Air Expands Asia Network With Daily Manila Service
MANILA- Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Riyadh Air, will begin daily flights between Riyadh and Manila on Sept. 9, expanding its presence in Southeast Asia as the airline accelerates plans to build an international network supporting the Kingdom’s aviation and tourism ambitions.
The Manila route follows a series of recent network additions by the airline, which launched its first commercial service to London in June and inaugurated flights to Malaysia in late July, its first destination in Southeast Asia. Riyadh Air is also scheduled to begin services to Islamabad and Lahore later this month before commencing operations to the Philippine capital.
In a statement, the airline said the new daily service would provide greater travel options for the large Filipino community living in Saudi Arabia while also serving business travelers and tourists moving between the two capitals.
The carrier said the route would strengthen direct connectivity between Manila and Riyadh, giving travelers from the Philippines easier access to Saudi Arabia’s capital, including its cultural attractions, commercial districts and expanding economic opportunities.
Riyadh Air is rapidly expanding its international footprint as part of its long-term objective of connecting Saudi Arabia with more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. The airline has positioned Asia as a key growth market as the Kingdom seeks to deepen trade, tourism and people-to-people links across the region.
Saudi Arabia remains the leading overseas destination for Filipino workers. According to the latest Philippine government data, more than 480,000 Filipinos who sought employment abroad in 2024—nearly 22% of the total—chose the Kingdom, reflecting sustained labor demand linked in part to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification program.
Tourism between the two countries has also strengthened. Data from the Philippine Department of Tourism show Saudi visitors ranked among the country’s fastest-growing and highest-spending tourist markets, with tourism receipts exceeding $37 million in 2024, an increase of 46% from the previous year.
The launch of daily Manila flights is expected to enhance connectivity for workers, families, businesses and leisure travelers while reinforcing growing economic and tourism ties between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines as Riyadh Air continues its international expansion.
