Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Riyadh Air, authorising the country’s new national airline to begin scheduled commercial operations.
The AOC was handed over to Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas by GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej. The certificate confirms the airline has met all regulatory, safety, and operational requirements under the Civil Aviation Law.
The move clears the way for Riyadh Air to commence domestic and international services, in line with the Kingdom’s National Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030 objectives.
The airline, owned by the Public Investment Fund, plans to fly to more than 100 international destinations by the end of the decade. It has placed orders for over 132 aircraft, including a confirmed order of 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners announced in 2023, with options for 33 more.
Riyadh Air is expected to support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become a global aviation and logistics hub, creating over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributing an estimated SAR 75 billion ($20 billion) to non-oil GDP.
GACA said the certification reflects its efforts to align with global aviation standards and enhance investment in the sector.
The launch of Riyadh Air is part of a broader aviation push that includes plans to build a new airport in Riyadh with a capacity of 120 million passengers per year by 2030, aimed at positioning the capital as a key global gateway.
