Bonjour, Riyadh! Air France opens direct gateway to Paris from Saudi

In a move that strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and France, Air France has announced the launch of direct flights between Riyadh and Paris Charles de Gaulle, starting May 20, 2025. The new service aims to enhance connectivity for business and leisure travelers, providing a seamless link between two of the world’s most dynamic capital cities. The airline will begin with three flights per week, before increasing to five weekly services in June to accommodate growing demand.

The Riyadh-Paris route will be operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900, a long-haul aircraft designed to offer enhanced passenger experience. With this new service, Air France strengthens its footprint in Saudi Arabia, a country experiencing remarkable growth in both tourism and business sectors.

Stefan Gumuseli, General Manager of Air France-KLM India and the Middle East, emphasized the airline’s commitment to the Kingdom. He said: “Saudi Arabia remains a key market for the Air France-KLM Group, and this new service is a testament to our ongoing expansion in the region. Riyadh and Paris are both strategic hubs for business and leisure travel, and we are proud to provide more connectivity between these two cities and our wider global network.”

Air France’s expansion in the country also aligns with its broader growth strategy in the region. With this launch, all three airlines under the Air France-KLM Group now operate flights to Saudi Arabia. KLM already connects Amsterdam-Schiphol to Riyadh and Dammam, while Transavia France offers services between Paris-Orly and Jeddah. The growing presence of the airline group in the region reflects the increasing demand for travel between Europe and the Middle East and reinforces France’s longstanding diplomatic, economic, and cultural relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Beyond its role in expanding flight options, this new route is expected to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to develop the Kingdom into a leading global tourism and business destination. With Paris being a major gateway to Europe and a hub for connecting flights worldwide, the new Riyadh service will provide seamless connections to more than 190 destinations across Air France’s extensive network.

The addition of Riyadh to Air France’s route map underscores the airline’s continued investment in high-growth markets and its confidence in Saudi Arabia’s potential as a key aviation hub. As demand for travel between the Middle East and Europe continues to rise, this new direct service is set to play a crucial role in fostering even closer ties between the two regions.

The aircraft features 34 Business Class seats that convert into full-flat beds with direct aisle access, 24 Premium Economy seats offering added comfort, and 266 Economy seats with spacious layouts. Air France is known for its signature hospitality and attention to detail, ensuring that passengers enjoy a premium travel experience from takeoff to landing.