On Thursday, Riyadh Air, the new airline from Saudi Arabia, began operating noncommercial flights in advance of its planned official launch early next year.
The first flight, designated RX5001, departed from Riyadh to Jeddah as part of the airline’s application for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which is required by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
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“As part of the flying program, we will be operating a number of rotations to domestic and international destinations over the coming months,” a statement from Riyadh Air stated.
The action was applauded on Thursday by the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, which stated that “this step marks an important milestone in the delivery of the” Kingdom’s aviation strategy.
Following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s announcement of Riyadh Air in March 2023, it is anticipated that the airline will generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in addition to $20 billion in non-oil GDP growth.
Riyadh Air placed an order for wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners shortly after the announcement.
The airline announced in a statement released on Wednesday that it will be operating a 787-9 that it has leased from Saudia, the other airline in the Kingdom.
With aspirations to operate to more than 100 destinations globally by 2030, Riyadh Air is set to launch in 2025.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Kingdom is the sole owner of the company. Tony Douglas, a former chief executive of Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi, serves as the CEO.
