Saudi Arabia-based startup airline Riyadh Air has signed a partnership agreement with Atletico Madrid, one of the largest football clubs in Spain and Europe.
The multi-year agreement will result in the airline’s logo being displayed on the front of Atletico Madrid’s shirt, with Riyadh Air becoming the main and official airline partner of the Spanish football club. This is the first sports partnership that the Saudi Arabian airline has signed since its inception in March 2023.
“It is an incredibly exciting day for Riyadh Air as we enter into a long-term partnership with Atlético de Madrid, one of Europe’s greatest clubs, to become their main and official airline partner,” Tony Douglas, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Riyadh Air, said.
Douglas added that the company believes its partnership with 2020/2021 champions of Spain’s La Liga is a “perfect match”.
The executive added that the entities share a “commitment to excellence and a passion for connecting people and cultures around the world”.
“This airline created global waves when we recently launched our stunning livery and with this partnership, once again we are surprising the world as we move towards our maiden flight in 2025,” Douglas stated.
Riyadh Air is scheduled to begin operations in 2025, with the airline ordering up to 72 Boeing 787 aircraft (39 firm) in March 2023. During the Paris Air Show in June 2023, the airline showcased a 787 painted in the airline’s colors.
The carrier plans to fly to more than 100 destinations and carry 100 million passengers by 2030, helping Riyadh, Saudi Arabia become a global hub for business and leisure travel.
During the same Paris Air Show, Riyadh Air chose the General Electric (GE) GEnx engine to power its Boeing 787s. Boeing allows customers to choose between the GEnx or the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 for their 787 aircraft.