Riyadh Air and All Nippon Airways Sign Landmark Aviation...

Signed on August 18, 2026, a new partnership between Riyadh Air and All Nippon Airways (ANA) establishes a framework for interline, codeshare, and loyalty connections between Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Riyadh Air and All Nippon Airways Expand Global Aviation Connectivity

On August 18, 2026, Riyadh Air and All Nippon Airways (ANA) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance aviation connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Subject to regulatory approvals, the partnership establishes a framework for interline connectivity, codeshare arrangements, and loyalty program reciprocity. The agreement leverages Riyadh Air's emerging hub in Riyadh and ANA's dual Tokyo hub structure to improve travel choices across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

This MoU is part of a broader trend where global airlines use commercial alliances to expand network reach without launching independent routes. In addition, it joins Riyadh Air's growing list of international aviation agreements designed to build its position as a major global hub carrier.

The following table compares Riyadh Air's partnership network and other similar global connectivity agreements:

Strategic Global Airline Partnerships and Alliances

Connected Carriers	Announcement Date	Geographic Scope	Key Cooperation Areas	Strategic Purpose
Riyadh Air – ANA	August 2026	Saudi Arabia, Japan, and beyond	Interline, codeshare, loyalty reciprocity	Connecting Riyadh and Tokyo hubs
Air India – Riyadh Air	June 2026	India, Saudi Arabia, and beyond	Interline, codeshare, loyalty, cargo, tech	Expanding access to large South Asian markets
Air India – Saudia	July 2026	India and Saudi Arabia	Codeshare, network connectivity, loyalty	Deepening bilateral travel and cargo links
Air India – Lufthansa Group	February 2026	India, Germany, Europe	Joint business, customer experience	Reaching key European transit hubs
Air India – Singapore Airlines	January 2026	India, Singapore, and global	Joint business, schedule coordination, loyalty	Streamlining South Asian and Southeast Asian travel
Air New Zealand – Air India	March 2025	India, Australia, Singapore, NZ	Codeshare, connecting flights	Linking distant Southern Hemisphere gateways
Riyadh Air – Singapore Airlines	June 2024	Saudi, Singapore, Southeast Asia, NZ	Interline, codeshare, cargo, digital tech	Directing traffic to over 30 destinations
Riyadh Air – Turkish Airlines	December 2023	Saudi, Turkey, Europe, and beyond	Interline, codeshare, cargo, digital	Linking Riyadh with over 150 European cities
Riyadh Air – Air France-KLM	June 2025	Saudi, France, Netherlands, global	Codeshare, loyalty, cargo, digital	Accessing Amsterdam's over 150 destinations
Riyadh Air – Saudia	November 2023	Saudi domestic and regional	Interline, codeshare, domestic transfers	Connecting Riyadh with over 10 Saudi cities
Emirates – flydubai	Ongoing	Global network	Codeshare, network, joint loyalty	Coordinated access to 245 destinations

Riyadh Air has also established partnerships with Delta Air Lines to access more than 300 cities in North America, Virgin Atlantic to link Riyadh with more than 20 destinations via London Heathrow, and EgyptAir for regional African links. Similarly, partnerships with Air China provide access to nearly 100 cities in China, while agreements with China Eastern connect Riyadh with Shanghai. In addition, Riyadh Air's FAQ notes a planned partnership with Air Europa to expand access in Southern Europe.

Shifting Travel Ecosystems Toward Sustainable Aviation and Interline Efficiency

For the traveler, the real impact of interline and codeshare partnerships is the opportunity to travel on a single ticket, reducing the booking friction, baggage transfer risks, and transit times associated with separate reservations. Coordinated schedules between carriers are vital for promoting sustainable aviation practices, as they optimize aircraft load factors and reduce the fuel burn associated with empty seats and redundant route planning.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) highlight that strategic air corridors are essential for supporting green travel initiatives. By encouraging passengers to use existing hubs and codeshare flights rather than launching duplicate routes, airlines can reduce overall emissions while channeling tourism spending directly to local businesses, hotels, and cultural heritage sites in both nations.

Local Insider Tips for Transiting Riyadh and Tokyo Hubs

To make the most of your journey and navigate these environments comfortably, keep these practical visitor tips in mind:

Identify Off-Peak Visit Windows: Plan your transit through Riyadh during the cooler months of November to February to avoid extreme desert heat. For Tokyo, target the shoulder seasons of late autumn (November) or late spring (May) to enjoy comfortable temperatures and smaller crowd sizes at major cultural attractions.
Observe Regional Etiquette: In Saudi Arabia, respect local customs by dressing modestly, keeping shoulders and knees covered in public spaces, and observing local prayer times. In Japan, avoid eating or drinking while walking in public, and always place cash or cards on the designated tray when making payments.
Savor Local Dining Specialties: Support independent culinary traditions. In Riyadh, try Kabsa (spiced rice and meat dish) or Jareesh (crushed wheat cooked with yogurt and chicken) at traditional local restaurants. In Tokyo, seek out small, family-owned Ramen shops in neighborhood side streets rather than international airport fast-food outlets.
Explore Under-the-Radar Stops: In Riyadh, visit the historic Diriyah district, the ancestral home of the Saudi state, to witness traditional mud-brick architecture. In Tokyo, take a day trip to the historic town of Kamakura to explore quiet temples and coastal walking paths.

Long-Term Outlook for Global Hub-to-Hub Airline Partnerships

In the long run, the signing of the Riyadh Air–ANA MoU marks a wider shift in airline competition toward collaborative global ecosystems rather than standalone carrier networks. As airlines navigate rising operating costs and strict environmental rules, combining complementary networks will remain the primary method for expanding global connectivity.

Establishing these deep interline and codeshare links will continue to support the expansion of tourism, trade, and corporate investment between South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia. Coordinated network growth will help position Riyadh as an important international aviation gateway, offering travelers seamless choices and supporting global travel connectivity for decades to come.