Riyadh Air Shifts Six Routes to Al Qassim: What Workers Should Know

If you work around Riyadh airport or have applied for an airline job, don’t treat a temporary flight change as an automatic workplace transfer. Get any new reporting location, shift or interview instruction in writing before you travel.

The National and Khaleej Times reported that Riyadh Air shifted six routes from Riyadh to Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Al Qassim from October 25, 2026. The change applies until further notice and covers Cairo, Dhaka, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Lahore and Islamabad. Riyadh Air said the flights moved after the closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

No return date has been confirmed. The reports also do not establish that the airline or its workforce is permanently relocating, and there is no official Riyadh Air, GACA or Al Qassim airport-operator announcement confirming a permanent move.

What the Route Change Means for Airport Staff

The change concerns flights on the six listed routes. There has been no announcement saying Riyadh Air airport employees or ground-handling staff have been permanently transferred to Al Qassim.

If your manager tells you to report there, ask for a written instruction showing:

• The airport and exact reporting point
• The date the assignment starts
• Whether it is temporary
• Your shift time
• Who will provide transport and accommodation, if required

Passengers departing from Riyadh were offered airline-arranged bus transport from the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh hotel check-in point to Al Qassim Airport. This passenger arrangement should not be treated as a confirmed employee shuttle. No staff commuting allowance, relocation allowance or employee accommodation plan has been confirmed.

Workers supporting these flights should check the airport code, reporting point and shift directly with their manager. Don’t travel based only on a forwarded message or passenger notice.

Your Rights if the Transfer Requires a Move

Saudi labour law generally says an employer cannot transfer an employee to another workplace that requires a change of residence without the employee’s written consent. Check your employment contract before accepting an instruction that would require you to live in Al Qassim.

There is a separate rule for an unforeseen temporary assignment of up to 30 days per year. For an assignment that qualifies under this rule, the employer must bear the worker’s transportation and accommodation costs during that period.

Ask HR to state whether the instruction is a temporary assignment or a change to your regular workplace. If contract information is changed, workers can review it through Qiwa and approve it, reject it or request corrections. You do not have to rely on an undocumented verbal instruction.

Recruitment Has Not Been Confirmed as Moving

There is no confirmed change to Riyadh Air recruitment locations, interview venues or advertised job bases. If someone tells you that an interview or joining process has suddenly moved to Al Qassim, verify it through documented employer channels before booking travel.

Never pay an agent for a Riyadh Air position. Under Saudi rules, employers are responsible for fees connected with recruiting non-Saudi workers and service-transfer fees when hiring a transferred worker.

HRSD warns workers against unlicensed recruitment intermediaries. You can also use GluJob’s fake job checker before responding to an offer, especially if someone asks for recruitment or transfer money.

Checks to Make Before Your Next Shift or Interview

1. Confirm whether your flight, shift or interview is in Riyadh or Al Qassim.
2. Ask for the location, start date and assignment period in writing.
3. Check whether the instruction would require you to change residence.
4. Request written details of transport and accommodation coverage where applicable.
5. Review any contract change in Qiwa before approving it.

Report suspicious recruiters, undocumented transfer concerns or labour-law issues to HRSD through its complaint service or unified number, 19911.

Before leaving home, send your manager or recruiter one written request confirming the airport, reporting time and who will pay any required travel costs.