Riyadh Air has just hit a major milestone—Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) officially handed over the all-important Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), giving the green light for the airline to kick off commercial operations. This certificate isn’t just a formality—it’s a stamp of approval that Riyadh Air meets all the aviation standards, safety requirements, and international rules under the Chicago Convention. After months of technical reviews, test flights, and readiness checks, the airline has proven it’s ready to fly. “This certificate represents the hard work of our entire team,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. “We’re proud to say we’re fully licensed and ready to welcome passengers aboard in 2025.”
The celebration didn’t happen in a vacuum—top government officials were on hand to mark the occasion, including Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser and GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. As they presented the certificate to Douglas, they emphasized the bigger picture: this is part of the Kingdom’s broader push to transform its aviation sector. Riyadh Air’s entry into the skies is expected to raise the bar for airlines in the region, giving travelers more choices and boosting global connectivity. “It’s a big step forward for the Saudi Aviation Strategy,” said Al-Duailej, noting the airline’s potential to make travel in and out of the Kingdom easier and more competitive.
And Riyadh Air isn’t just planning to be another name in the sky—it’s gearing up for serious impact. The airline has plans to serve over 100 destinations by 2030, backed by a growing fleet of more than 130 aircraft. Along the way, it’s expected to generate over 200,000 jobs and inject nearly $20 billion into the country’s non-oil economy. This comes on the heels of the Economic License granted last year, and it marks Riyadh Air’s full arrival as a player in the aviation scene.
The timing couldn’t be better. Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry is booming—passenger numbers have soared past pre-pandemic levels, with over 128 million travelers in 2024 alone. Flights are up, cargo is up, and the Kingdom is now connected to more than 170 global destinations. As the country builds momentum toward its Vision 2030 goals, Riyadh Air is poised to be a major force in shaping the future of Saudi aviation.
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(Source: Times Aerospace | AeroTime)
