Riyadh Air begins non-commercial flights as part of certification process

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has launched its first non-commercial flight from the capital’s King Khalid International Airport as part of the airline’s certification process.

According to a press release, this is a crucial step in the airline’s journey to full certification and is part of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate from the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

The inaugural flight, RX5001, flew from Riyadh to Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport on Sept. 12. Over the coming months, Riyadh Air is set to operate several domestic and international trips as part of its certification flying program.

In a statement, the company expressed gratitude to its key partners, highlighting GACA for their regulatory oversight, Saudia Airlines for leasing the 787-9 aircraft, Riyadh Airports Co. for logistical support and Saudia Technic for aircraft maintenance as well as Alsalam Aerospace Industries Co. for providing hangar facilities.

Riyadh Air was unveiled in March 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of the Kingdom’s drive to become a global aviation leader by expanding connectivity to over 250 destinations and tripling annual passenger traffic to 330 million.

“This marks another important milestone in our journey to our maiden flight in 2025,” the press release said.

Riyadh Air, scheduled to launch commercial operations in 2025, has been actively expanding its partnerships with leading global airlines.

In June, the airline signed agreements with two major carriers, Singapore Airlines and Air China, to establish strategic partnerships and expand its global network. 

The agreement focused on interline connectivity, codeshare arrangements, and potential collaboration in frequent flyer programs as well as cargo services, customer experience, and digital innovation.

These partnerships highlight Riyadh Air’s commitment to becoming a world-leading carrier. The Saudi airline aims to connect passengers to 100 destinations globally by 2030, prioritizing sustainability and setting a new standard for travel.

As a key contributor to Vision 2030, Riyadh Air is boosting economic diversification and job creation within the Kingdom.

On the technical side, the airline signed a five-year agreement in July to use GE Aerospace’s flight operations software, equipping the new carrier with data-driven analytics to optimize fuel consumption, enhance safety measures, and fortify its sustainability initiatives.

The Fuel Insight software will help Riyadh Air position itself as a leader in sustainable aviation. The airline will also use real-time data monitoring and operations quality assurance to ensure high safety and quality standards across its advanced fleet.