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Riyadh Air launched direct flights to Manila, starting with four weekly services and increasing to daily on October 19
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The Saudi carrier will initially operate the route four times weekly on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
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Flights will be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
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Passengers from Manila will also be able to connect through Riyadh to destinations in Europe
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Saudi Arabia remains a major destination for Filipino workers
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The service also supports increasing travel from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, with Saudi passport holders getting 30-day visa-free entry
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Riyadh Air is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and aims to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030
Riyadh Air has launched direct flights between Riyadh and Manila, starting with four weekly services before increasing to daily on October 19.
The Saudi Arabian carrier’s inaugural flight arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on September 9, marking its 13th inaugural flight since commercial operations began in June and its seventh destination in Asia, according to the airline.
The service initially operates every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. From October 19, Riyadh Air will operate the Manila-Riyadh route daily.
The scheduled Riyadh-Manila flight, RX873, departs King Khalid International Airport at 1:05 a.m. and arrives in Manila at 3:55 p.m.
The return flight, RX874, departs Manila at 5:25 p.m. and arrives in Riyadh at 10:15 p.m., based on the airline’s published schedule.
Riyadh Air said the new route is intended to serve demand between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, particularly among Filipino workers and other travelers moving between the two countries.
The service also offers passengers from Manila connections to Europe via Riyadh.
The route strengthens travel and trade links between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, which have an established Filipino community and growing commercial ties.
Saudi Arabia remains a major destination for overseas Filipino workers, with more than 61,000 Filipinos deployed to the Kingdom in January 2026 alone, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.
The route also supports growing travel from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, with Saudi passport holders eligible for 30 days of visa-free entry.
Riyadh Air is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and has set a target of serving more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.
