Riyadh Air Earns Key AOC Milestone as It Prepares to Launch
Riyadh Air, the new Jeddah-based full-service airline and sister carrier to Saudia, has achieved a major milestone by receiving its Air Operators Certificate from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. The official certification, announced on Monday, April 7, 2025, confirms that Riyadh Air is in full compliance with the Kingdom’s aviation regulations, international standards, and stringent flight safety requirements under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. With this certification now secured, Riyadh Air is set to commence its final preparations for launching regular scheduled passenger flights later in 2025, marking an important step in the country’s ambitious aviation growth under Vision 2030.
The issuance of the AOC comes after an extensive 11-month process that involved multiple phases, including initial consultations, a detailed review of operational documentation, and rigorous on-site inspections. A dedicated team of 10 Saudi aviation safety inspectors and technical experts from GACA conducted over 200 hours of test flights to verify Riyadh Air’s operational readiness. This comprehensive audit scrutinized the airline’s technical and aircraft systems, the efficiency of its equipment, and the qualifications of both its flight and ground personnel. The certification ceremony was held in the presence of high-ranking officials, including His Excellency Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the GACA Board, and His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA, who presented the certificate to Riyadh Air’s CEO Tony Douglas.
In a statement issued by GACA, the certification was described as a testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to developing a world-class aviation sector that aligns with the strategic goals outlined in the Saudi Aviation Strategy. The statement highlighted that the successful completion of the licensing process not only strengthens competition within the region but also enhances connectivity both domestically and globally, offering travelers greater value and choice. Riyadh Air’s CEO Tony Douglas expressed his pride in the milestone, stating that the achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of the airline’s employees. He affirmed that with the operational license now in hand, Riyadh Air is fully prepared to begin transporting passengers later this year.
Riyadh Air has been established as a key component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to attract over 330 million visitors annually by 2030 and boost the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP by an estimated $19.9 billion. The new airline is poised to operate domestic, regional, and long-haul flights from its base at Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport, with plans to serve over 100 destinations by 2030. The carrier has made significant progress with its fleet expansion plans, having already placed orders for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options for an additional 33 aircraft, as well as 60 Airbus A321neo single-aisle jets. In January 2025, as part of the AOC application process, Riyadh Air’s first operational Boeing 787-9 performed its maiden flight in the airline’s livery between Riyadh and Istanbul, serving as a crucial crew training and familiarization flight.
The awarding of the Air Operators Certificate to Riyadh Air arrives amid record-breaking growth in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. In 2024, the number of passengers increased by 15% to over 128 million, while the overall number of flights grew by 11%, and air connectivity expanded by 16% to link the Kingdom with more than 170 destinations worldwide. With this significant certification now achieved, Riyadh Air is well positioned to contribute to this momentum and play a vital role in shaping the future of Saudi aviation.
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