Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new airline, Riyadh Air, took its maiden flight on Thursday, September 12, 2024, as it prepares to officially launch commercial operations next year. The inaugural flight, RX5001, departed from the capital city of Riyadh and landed in Jeddah, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s journey towards obtaining its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
In a statement, Riyadh Air revealed that it would be conducting a series of domestic and international flights in the coming months as part of its AOC certification process. The airline expressed its commitment to expanding its network and offering exceptional travel experiences to passengers worldwide.
The launch of Riyadh Air was met with enthusiasm from Saudi authorities. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation praised this development as a crucial step in realizing the Kingdom’s aviation strategy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who announced the airline’s establishment in March 2023, envisions Riyadh Air contributing $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and creating over 200,000 jobs.
To kickstart its operations, Riyadh Air has placed an order for wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. For its initial flights, the airline is utilizing a 787-9 leased from Saudia, another prominent Saudi Arabian airline.
Riyadh Air is set to commence commercial operations in 2025 with ambitious plans to serve over 100 destinations globally by 2030. The Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the sole owner of the airline, and its CEO is Tony Douglas, a seasoned aviation executive with previous experience leading Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways.
As Riyadh Air prepares to enter the competitive global aviation market, industry experts are eagerly anticipating the airline’s future announcements, including potential follow-up aircraft orders and strategic partnerships.
