Originally Posted by
Sotonsean
Do you honestly think that Riyadh Air would choose STN over LGW or LHR as their initial choice of London airport?
I don't hence why I deliberately didnt mention them in the list of potential international airlines that could possibly be seen at STN within the next few years.
I'm not saying that Riyadh Air won't be at STN at some point but definitely not "within the next few years". More like 10 years as I'm certain that Riyadh Air will be operating to LGW and LHR for many years before STN would be considered.
Riyadh Air are to announce their initial destinations shortly with London being one of their first. It will be interesting what London airport they will announce but again I'm certain that it won't be STN.
Another possible international airline at STN that I had overlooked was MIAT Airlines from Ulaanbaatar.
The business model of Riyadh Air is to take over all international long haul flights from the capital with Saudia becoming the prime carrier at Jeddah . Both will be tasked with differing target markets and won’t be competitors in the western “free market “ sense at all.
I expect the two daily Saudia flights from Heathrow to simply be transferred to the new carrier in the first instance.
A third carrier is also being planned for leisure markets operating out of Neom and Red Sea international airports.Currently one/two Saudia flights a week serves Neom from Heathrow enroute Jeddah and as demand increases that would be transferred to the new airline - Now I would also expect that carrier to use the Gatwick slots in time.
Beyond London, Edinburgh will see Saudia at some point and Manchester has an additional Saturday rotation already. Birmingham will certainly go daily soon.
When talking of Saudi I wouldn’t be surprised to see Flynas try again especially against the proposed Wizz flights at some point . Flynas “might” be a target for MAG Group with a right deals