Riyadh Air cleared for take-off by Saudi aviation authority

Riyadh Air has been officially authorised to begin scheduled flights to and from airports across Saudi Arabia.

The approval follows the presentation of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The handover took place in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of GACA’s Board, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, and GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Duailej.

Al Jasser said the issuance of the AOC marks a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to position the kingdom as the Middle East’s leading aviation hub by 2030.

The strategy includes transforming Saudi Arabia into a global logistics centre connecting three continents, supporting tourism goals, and establishing Riyadh as a central hub for transport, trade and tourism.

Riyadh Air’s plans

The airline aims to operate flights to over 100 international destinations by 2030.

It has placed orders for more than 132 aircraft and is expected to create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the aviation sector, contributing an estimated SAR75bn to the country’s non-oil GDP.

Riyadh Air received its AOC after fulfilling all regulatory and operational requirements in accordance with the Civil Aviation Law’s executive regulations, especially those covering safety, security and operational quality standards.

GACA’s commitment

The AOC reflects GACA’s commitment to world-class regulatory standards. It marks a step forward in enhancing the passenger experience and maintaining high aviation safety levels. It also supports GACA’s broader goals of creating an attractive investment environment and fostering the growth and sustainability of the aviation sector, in line with the National Aviation Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.