Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has officially granted Riyadh Air its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), authorising the airline to commence commercial operations later this year.
The license confirms that Riyadh Air has met Saudi aviation regulations, international standards, and safety requirements outlined by the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. This follows an extensive audit by GACA, covering the airline’s technical capabilities, aircraft systems, operational preparedness, and the qualifications of both flight and ground crew.
A formal certification ceremony marked this important development, attended by His Excellency Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the GACA Board, and His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA. The certificate was officially presented to Riyadh Air CEO, Mr. Tony Douglas.
His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating: “GACA’s issuance of the Air Operator Certificate to Riyadh Air marks a significant milestone within the framework of the Saudi Aviation Strategy. Riyadh Air will enhance competition, offer greater value and choices for travellers, and improve connectivity both domestically and globally.”
Riyadh Air plans to operate flights to over 100 destinations by 2030, supported by an extensive fleet order of more than 132 aircraft. The airline is anticipated to generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing approximately $19.9 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP. This certification comes after Riyadh Air received its Economic License from GACA in June 2023.
CEO Tony Douglas expressed enthusiasm about the airline’s preparedness for operations: “The issuance of the AOC is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the entire Riyadh Air team. We are now fully prepared to launch our operations later in 2025. Obtaining the Air Operator Certificate is an important milestone in the company’s journey. It is the result of the efforts of many employees at Riyadh Air. Today, we can proudly say that Riyadh Air is now an airline with an operational license to transport our traveling guests, and we are ready to begin operations later in 2025.”
The certification process spanned 11 months and involved multiple phases, from initial consultations and documentation review to extensive inspections and over 200 hours of test flights, overseen by a dedicated team of Saudi aviation safety inspectors and technical experts.
The award of Riyadh Air’s operational license comes at a time of significant growth in Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry. In 2024 alone, passenger numbers rose 15% to surpass 128 million, marking a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures.
Flight frequency grew by 11%, exceeding 905,000 flights, while connectivity improved by 16%, linking Saudi Arabia to over 170 global destinations. Air cargo also saw substantial growth, increasing by 34% to 1.2 million tons, underscoring the Kingdom’s expanding role in global aviation.
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