Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Riyadh Air, completed its first few non-commercial flights today, using a Dreamliner aircraft from fellow airline Saudia. These flights are part of the carrier’s roadway to gaining its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the nation’s Civil Aviation Authority.
With the carrier set to begin commercial operations in 2025, the airline has been busy establishing itself in other ways.
The first flight(s)
Riyadh-based Riyadh Air
today operated two of its first non-commercial flights, thus marking a major milestone in the carrier’s roadway to begin operating commercially later next year. The flight was undertaken using a Boeing 787-9
Dreamliner aircraft belonging to fellow carrier Saudia
and Riyadh Air performed two flights, staying within the country’s airspace for both.
Data from FlightRadar24.com shows that the aircraft used was an eight-year-old Dreamliner for the carrier’s flights. The first flight was operated from Riyadh Airport
(RUH) to Jeddah Airport
(JED), with a flight time of 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The data also shows that the aircraft was flown back to RUH a few hours later. These flights were to fulfill one of the many requirements a new airline needs to meet to receive its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Any airline requires this document to operate, and it is issued by the civil aviation authority of the nation in which the airline is based. In the case of Riyadh Air, this document would be issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
The airline will be operating various certification flights throughout September and all the way through November.
Already establishing itself
Though the carrier only took to the skies for the first time today, it has been busy establishing itself in various ways for over a year. From forming partnerships and codeshares with other airlines to even signing sponsorship deals with sports teams, Riyadh Air has been staying relevant within the aviation industry and establishing its presence.
In recent months, the airline has signed a series of Memorandum of Understandings with other carriers from various regions of the world, thus ensuring it can offer connections to its passengers once it begins operating.
Photo: Falcons Spotters | Shutterstock
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Apart from signing agreements with various airlines, the carrier has also followed suit with other Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways by announcing a sponsorship with a football club, in this case, the Spanish club Atlético de Madrid.
Commercial operations in 2025
With the aim of commencing commercial operations next year, the airline is already preparing itself. While externally, the carrier showcased its new aircraft liveries airshows and its crew uniforms at the Paris Fashion Week, internally, the airline management has been busy working on hiring pilots and cabin crew members.
As of May this year, the airline had already hired 38 pilots and has had its third batch of cabin crew members join the airline.
Photo: Riyadh Air
Additionally, the airline is reportedly working with training pilots from various international airlines to engage with Riyahd Air’s own pilots and help the airline gain certification. With an ambitious aim of flying to over 100 destinations by 2030, the airline does have a long way to go, especially in the highly competitive Middle Eastern aviation market, where connectivity and luxury are among the best within the aviation industry.