Riyadh Air receives flight approval as it prepares for first takeoff
Riyadh Air, which will take over many passenger routes from Saudia, plans connections to more than 100 international cities by 2030
Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, President of GACA Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej handed over the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air Tony Douglas. Picture by SPA.
Riyadh Air crossed a threshold as it prepares to begin operating in 2025 as Saudi Arabia’s primary international carrier.
The airline, which is owned by the Public Investment Fund, announced on Sunday that it received approval to fly from the General Authority of Civil Aviation.
“Establishing an airline of this scale is a monumental task, but the process is progressing smoothly,” Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser said at a ceremony presenting the approval certificate.
“We are now in the final stages, with the next step being the launch of the first flight before the end of this year.”
Riyadh Air, which will take over many passenger routes from Saudia, plans connections to more than 100 international cities by 2030.