Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officerof London-based airline Virgin Atlanticsaid that there are significant growth prospects for Saudi Arabia, with the launch of the direct route between London and Riyadh, marking a key milestone in its expansion strategy. 
In an interview with Argaam, Weiss added that the flights actually started since last September and were officially celebrated on March 31, 2025, highlighting that the route has been performing well since its launch, especially in terms of air cargo.
Virgin Atlantic puts the cargo “in the belly of the plane”, said Weiss, noting that there is a strong demand for imports from the UK to Saudi Arabia, driven by the development of global e-commerce.
The company is one of the strongest players in the cargo sector to the United States, and will work to strengthen the link between the Kingdom and Britain, and then to US destinations, according to Weiss.
Asked if his company is targeting a new customer in the import, an expert space through expansion in cargo service, Weiss said, “No. It it’s look. Whether it’s, on the leisure side, on the business side, on the cargo side, there this is a large country that is growing dramatically, and its brand recognition is only beginning as a destination for tourism, but at least we know of a political center, a financial center”.
Weiss also said he expects flights to witness great demand from Saudi travelers, especially with the connection to destinations such as New York and Los Angeles, and with local partner Saudi Airlines.
He also pointed out that the Saudi market has about 100,000 seats per year and is characterized by a young demographic, with a population of 38 million people, more than 70% of whom are under the age of 35, which boosts demand for travel, especially in light of major tourism projects such as the Red Sea, Diriyah and Qiddiya.
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officerof London-based airline Virgin Atlanticsaid that there are significant growth prospects for Saudi Arabia, with the launch of the direct route between London and Riyadh, marking a key milestone in its expansion strategy.
In an interview with Argaam, Weiss added that the flights actually started since last September and were officially celebrated on March 31, 2025, highlighting that the route has been performing well since its launch, especially in terms of air cargo.
Virgin Atlantic puts the cargo “in the belly of the plane”, said Weiss, noting that there is a strong demand for imports from the UK to Saudi Arabia, driven by the development of global e-commerce.
The company is one of the strongest players in the cargo sector to the United States, and will work to strengthen the link between the Kingdom and Britain, and then to US destinations, according to Weiss.
Asked if his company is targeting a new customer in the import, an expert space through expansion in cargo service, Weiss said, “No. It it’s look. Whether it’s, on the leisure side, on the business side, on the cargo side, there this is a large country that is growing dramatically, and its brand recognition is only beginning as a destination for tourism, but at least we know of a political center, a financial center”.
Weiss also said he expects flights to witness great demand from Saudi travelers, especially with the connection to destinations such as New York and Los Angeles, and with local partner Saudi Airlines.
He also pointed out that the Saudi market has about 100,000 seats per year and is characterized by a young demographic, with a population of 38 million people, more than 70% of whom are under the age of 35, which boosts demand for travel, especially in light of major tourism projects such as the Red Sea, Diriyah and Qiddiya.
