USDOT clears Riyadh Air to launch flights to the USA
Saudi Arabian carrier Riyadh Air has received approval from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to operate flights to and from the United States.
The airline, which has plans to grow its fleet and expand its network quickly, applied for foreign air carrier authority on 5 May of this year, asking the USDOT to “act promptly” on its application. The USDOT approved the application on June 16, determining it was “consistent with the public interest.”
Expediting Riyadh Air’s global ambitions
Launched in 2023, Riyadh Air is the Saudi Kingdom’s second national airline, alongside Saudia. The carrier’s rapid expansion plans have full backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
In its application, the airline told the DOT it plans to “expand its global operations rapidly, with more than 180 aircraft on order. Riyadh Air intends to operate to more than 100 international destinations by 2030.”
The airline began operating its first London service last week, having moved up the launch from July after receiving its third Boeing 787-9 in a week.
As Reuters has reported, Riyadh Air chief executive Tony Douglas expects the fleet to grow to eight aircraft by the end of July and to serve 22 cities by March 2027.
Delta partnership could strengthen US presence
Riyadh Air told the USDOT that it already has, or is planning, partnerships with at least 10 international airlines, including Delta Air Lines.
Delta signed a reciprocal collaboration agreement with the Saudi startup last July, which will see Riyadh Air become Delta’s exclusive partner in Riyadh and Delta becoming Riyadh Air’s exclusive partner in North America.
The Atlanta-based carrier previously struck a codeshare agreement with fellow SkyTeam member Saudia in 2024. The agreement allows Delta passengers to access nine destinations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East via Saudia’s hubs in Jeddah and Riyadh. Saudia customers can connect to 12 US destinations through Delta’s hubs at New York’s JFK and Los Angeles (LAX).
While Riyadh Air is not a member of the SkyTeam alliance, as the Kingdom is already represented in the alliance by Saudia, the startup has formed strategic bilateral partnerships with several key SkyTeam members, including Air France-KLM, China Eastern, and Egyptair.
Delta is scheduled to launch nonstop flights between Atlanta and Riyadh in October, also supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening links between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Riyadh Air has not yet announced specific US destinations, but CEO Tony Douglas has reportedly suggested the airline sees the eastern United States as an important market.
One of aviation’s largest start-ups
Douglas has described Riyadh Air as “the biggest global aviation startup in modern history.” With the full financial backing of the Saudi Kingdom, the airline has placed orders for:
- Up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners;
- Up to 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft; and
- 50 Airbus A350 widebodies.
Riyadh Air has refined its brand positioning as a premium global carrier, competing with Emirates and Qatar Airways. It has equipped its Boeing 787 aircraft with cabins suited to this positioning, including an elevated business class and a premium economy cabin experience.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030, the carrier will support over 100 million visits from travellers around the world.
As reported by Aeroroutes, Riyadh Air has targeted new route launches in Europe to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid Barajas, and Manchester. The airline also intends to launch new routes to Bangkok, Jakarta, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Manila, and Mumbai in Asia. Riyadh Air also plans to serve Amman, Dubai, and Cairo, and offer a connecting domestic flight between Jeddah and Riyadh.
Featured Image: Riyadh Air
