By Kavita Mistry 
Riyadh Air has received official authorisation to begin scheduled flights to and from airports across Saudi Arabia. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, following the airline’s completion of all regulatory and operational requirements.
The launch of Riyadh Air’s operations is expected to have a significant workforce impact. The airline aims to create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030, spanning aviation, logistics, tourism, and related industries. It also plans to operate flights to more than 100 international destinations and has ordered over 132 aircraft to support its growth.
This development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a regional transport and logistics hub while contributing to non-oil economic diversification. Riyadh Air’s expansion is projected to add approximately SAR75 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP by 2030.
GACA stated that the AOC reflects its commitment to maintaining safety, security, and operational quality standards. The authority emphasised that Riyadh Air’s entry will support workforce development, improve international connectivity, and help achieve broader targets under Saudi Vision 2030.
The move is also expected to attract investment and strengthen the country’s aviation sector capabilities over the coming years.
