Riyadh Air is projected to fly to more than 100 destinations by 2030
Riyadh Air, the new airline backed by Saudi Arabian government, has taken another step ahead towards beginning its commercial flights as it received an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), granted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the civil aviation regulator in Saudi Arabia, which authorises the airline to start commercial flight operations.
In a press statement, Riyadh Air says that the issuance of the AOC confirms the airline’s full compliance with Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulations, international standards, and flight safety requirements under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
It adds that the milestone follows GACA’s comprehensive audit of the airline’s technical and aircraft systems, operational readiness, equipment, and the qualifications of both flight and ground personnel.
The official certification ceremony took place in the presence of Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the GACA Board, and Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA, who presented the certificate to Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air, affirming the Kingdom’s commitment to developing a world-class aviation sector aligned with the Saudi Aviation Strategy.
“GACA’s issuance of the Air Operator Certificate to Riyadh Air marks a significant milestone within the framework of the Saudi Aviation Strategy. Riyadh Air will enhance competition, offer greater value and choices for travellers, and improve connectivity both domestically and globally,” says Al-Duailej.
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej
According to the statement, Riyadh Air is projected to fly to more than 100 destinations by 2030, supported by an order of over 132 aircraft. The airline is expected to create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute approximately $19.9 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP. This operational license follows the earlier issuance of an Economic Licence to Riyadh Air in June 2023.
“The issuance of the AOC is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the entire Riyadh Air team. We are now fully prepared to launch our operations later in
Tony Douglas
2025. Obtaining the Air Operator Certificate is an important milestone in the company’s journey. It is the result of the efforts of many employees at Riyadh Air. Today, we can proudly say that Riyadh Air is now an airline with an operational license to transport our traveling guests, and we are ready to begin operations later in 2025,’’ says Douglas.
According to the airline, the licensing process involved several key phases, including initial consultations, submission of the formal application, review of operational documentation, on-site inspections, and final approvals. The process extended over 11 months and was overseen by a dedicated team of 10 Saudi aviation safety inspectors and technical experts from GACA, who conducted over 200 hours of test flights to ensure full compliance with the highest operational standards.
According to the airline, the awarding of the licence comes amid a period of record-breaking momentum for Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. In 2024, the number of passengers rose by 15 pc to exceed 128 million – approximately 25 pc above pre-pandemic levels. The number of flights increased by 11 pc to reach over 905,000. Additionally, the air connectivity grew by 16 pc, linking the Kingdom to more than 170 destinations around the world. The air cargo sector also experienced exceptional growth, recording a 34 pc increase to reach 1.2 million tons in total volume for the year.
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