Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air begins noncommercial flights ahead of expected launch

Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Riyadh Air, began on Thursday operating noncommercial flights ahead of its expected official launch next year.

The first flight, RX5001, commenced from Riyadh to Jeddah as part of the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process that is required by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

“Over the coming months, we will be operating a number of rotations to domestic and international destinations as part of the flying program,” Riyadh Air said in a statement.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation on Thursday praised the move saying that “this step marks an important milestone in the delivery of the” Kingdom’s aviation strategy.

Riyadh Air, announced in March 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to add $20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Shortly after the announcement, Riyadh Air placed an order for wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

The airline said in the statement issued on Wednesday that it will be using a 787-9 leased from the Kingdom’s other airline, Saudia.

Riyadh Air is scheduled to start operations in 2025 with plans to fly to over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.

The company is wholly owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The CEO is Tony Douglas, who was previously chief executive of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways.