Riyadh Air and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding connectivity between Saudi Arabia, Japan, and destinations beyond, marking a step toward deeper cooperation between two of aviation’s growing markets.
The agreement, announced August 18, 2026, is subject to regulatory approval and lays the groundwork for the two carriers to gradually roll out new travel benefits, giving passengers more route options and a broader range of travel experiences across both airlines’ networks.
MoU targets seamless Riyadh-Tokyo connectivity, and beyond
The partnership is designed to make use of Riyadh Air’s hub in Riyadh alongside ANA’s dual hub in Tokyo, with the goal of creating smoother travel between the two cities and improving access to both domestic and international markets on either side.
Under the MoU, the airlines plan to build convenient connectivity between Riyadh and Tokyo through key connecting points, while setting up a foundation for further expansion as both networks continue to grow.
For ANA, the arrangement is seen as a way to capture demand not just to Riyadh itself, but into broader international markets accessible through the Saudi hub.
Beyond route connectivity, the agreement also opens the door to cooperation in other areas, including interline connectivity, codeshare arrangements, and reciprocal loyalty program benefits.
Executives call the partnership a strategic bridge between markets
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said the agreement reflects the airline’s ambition to build meaningful global partnerships that expand choice and deliver long-term value for passengers.
“The MoU with ANA will provide a seamless premium experience for our passengers while laying the groundwork for stronger connectivity between Riyadh and Tokyo, and supporting broader commercial, operational, and guest experience opportunities as we continue to grow our network,” he said.
Juichi Hirasawa, CEO of ANA, said the partnership reflects ANA’s ambition to connect Japan with Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, a region he described as experiencing remarkable economic growth.
“We are thrilled to partner with a young, dynamic, and innovative carrier whose relentless pursuit of high-quality service perfectly mirrors our own values,” Hirasawa said, adding, “We aim to serve as a bridge between our markets and drive new business and tourism exchanges between our countries and beyond.”