Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air Secures Air Operator Certificate

Riyadh Air has officially received its air operator certificate (AOC) from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), marking a major milestone in the airline’s journey toward launch. The certification, granted after an 11-month process, included over 200 hours of test flights and thorough evaluations of the airline’s personnel, equipment, and operational readiness.

According to GACA, the AOC confirms Riyadh Air’s full compliance with Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulations and international standards, including safety protocols outlined by the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

The announcement was made during a ceremony on April 6, attended by Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser, and GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej.

Douglas stated that Riyadh Air plans to begin scheduled passenger operations by the end of 2025. The airline had initially targeted a first-quarter launch but later revised it to the third quarter of the year.

Currently, Riyadh Air’s fleet includes one Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, according to the ch-aviation fleets module. The airline aims to expand its fleet significantly, with 39 additional 787-9s on order and 60 Airbus A321-200Ns expected. Riyadh Air is also reportedly in negotiations to acquire more widebody aircraft, with interest in the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777X models.

Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, Riyadh Air is expected to play a key role in transforming the Kingdom into a major global aviation hub, connecting international markets through the capital city.

Related News: https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com