# Riyadh Air lands in Spain with direct Air Europa alliance

Canonical-URL: https://notitur.com/en/digest/riyadh-air-spain-alliance
Text-Version: https://notitur.com/en/digest/riyadh-air-spain-alliance.txt
Markdown-Version: https://notitur.com/en/digest/riyadh-air-spain-alliance.md
Language: en
Published: 2026-07-19T08:15:59.008Z
Modified: 2026-07-19T08:15:59.008Z
Author: Joan Sanz
Topics: Airlines
Summary: Saudi Arabia's new airline touches down in Madrid and strikes deal with Air Europa to connect Saudi with Spain and Latin America. What's the play?

## Article

**Riyadh Air** has officially landed in Spain. The new Saudi national carrier touched down at Madrid-Barajas on Friday with its inaugural flight from Riyadh, according to [Hosteltur](https://www.hosteltur.com/177541_riyadh-air-se-estrena-oficialmente-en-espana-y-sella-una-alianza-con-air-europa.html). And it came with a double play: a **direct regular route** (the only one between the two countries) and a **strategic alliance with Air Europa**.

The deal links Saudi Arabia with Spain and Latin America through both networks. Make no mistake: this is more than a simple codeshare. **Riyadh Air is positioning itself as a hub between the Middle East and Latin America**, bypassing the traditional Gulf axis. Iberia won't love this, but for Air Europa it's a massive boost.

My take: **Saudi Arabia is going all in on tourism and connectivity**, and using Spain as a gateway to Latin America is a smart move. Travel agencies and OTAs working those corridors should start checking fares and terms on this new route.

- **Inaugural flight**: Riyadh-Madrid, direct and regular.
- **Air Europa alliance**: connections to Latin America.
- **Season**: starts as a seasonal service, per the source.

## Sources

- Hosteltur: https://www.hosteltur.com/177541_riyadh-air-se-estrena-oficialmente-en-espana-y-sella-una-alianza-con-air-europa.html

## Citation

Riyadh Air lands in Spain with direct Air Europa alliance. Notitur. 2026-07-19. https://notitur.com/en/digest/riyadh-air-spain-alliance