Key facts
- Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new national airline, has been granted approval by the U.S. Transportation Department to operate flights to and from the United States.
- The airline, launched in 2023 and owned by the Public Investment Fund, aims to serve over 100 international destinations by 2030.
- Delta Air Lines intends to commence nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh in October.
- Riyadh Air plans to expand its fleet to eight aircraft by the end of July and reach 22 cities by March 2027.
- The airline's establishment is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil into sectors like tourism, logistics, and technology.
Saudi Arabia's new airline, Riyadh Air, has secured approval from the U.S. Transportation Department to operate flights connecting the United States with Saudi Arabia. The decision, announced Tuesday, marks a significant step for the ambitious startup, which launched its inaugural flight from London last week.
Riyadh Air, established in 2023 and wholly owned by the kingdom's Public Investment Fund, is positioned as Saudi Arabia's second national carrier alongside Saudia. The U.S. Transportation Department stated that granting this authority aligns with the public interest.
During its application process last month, Riyadh Air outlined its intention to serve more than 100 international destinations by 2030. The airline is also pursuing partnerships with at least 10 international carriers, including a planned collaboration with Delta Air Lines. Delta has indicated its intention to launch direct flights from Atlanta to Riyadh in October.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, described the airline as "the biggest global aviation startup in modern history." He noted that the fleet is expected to comprise eight aircraft by the end of July, with plans to fly to 22 cities by March 2027. The airline has existing orders for up to 72 Boeing 787s, as many as 60 A321neos, and 50 A350s.
The establishment of Riyadh Air is a key component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, aimed at diversifying the nation's economy away from oil and fostering growth in sectors such as tourism, logistics, and technology. So far, Riyadh Air has announced routes to Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester, with potential expansion into Indian cities anticipated.