Riyadh Air is preparing to launch its highly anticipated Northern Summer 2026 schedule, with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport expected to be among the airline’s first destinations, according to Airport Coordination Limited’s S26 Start of Season Report.
The slot allocation data provides one of the clearest indications yet of how Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier intends to structure its early international network as it prepares for the delivery of next-generation aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.
Bangkok is expected to play a strategic role in Riyadh Air’s expansion into Southeast Asia. The city remains one of the region’s busiest aviation hubs and a major gateway for both tourism and business travel. The planned route between Riyadh and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi would strengthen connectivity between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, supporting growing demand from leisure travellers, business passengers and religious tourism linking Southeast Asia with the Middle East.
Thailand has experienced a steady rise in visitor numbers from the Gulf region in recent years, while Thailand-based travellers increasingly view Riyadh as a key transit hub connecting to Europe and the Middle East.
The proposed route is part of Riyadh Air’s initial network of 15 destinations planned for Northern Summer 2026, which spans Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. The network includes Manchester, London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Cairo, Marrakech, Amman, Jeddah, Islamabad, Dubai, Mumbai, Lahore, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Jakarta, Malang and Kuala Lumpur.
These routes are expected to form the backbone of the airline’s early operations as it builds a global network centred on Riyadh, positioning the Saudi capital as a major aviation hub linking East and West.