Riyadh Air, the "largest emerging modern aviation company": Saudi funding, delays, and the effects of a war

Riyadh Air, a new Saudi airline, has relocated operations due to missile attacks from Houthi rebels, affecting its flight schedule significantly. Flights are now departing from Al Qassim, over four hours from Riyadh, with many cancellations reported. The airline's CEO described it as a major emerging aviation company, but ongoing conflicts have complicated its launch plans. The situation has led to a high percentage of flight cancellations across Saudi airports, with Riyadh Air canceling nearly 31% of its scheduled flights. The airline aims to compete with Emirates and Qatar Airways, having ordered 122 aircraft, but faces operational challenges and security concerns.