Riyadh Air Receives Authorization to Operate Flights to U.S.

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The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has formally granted authorization to Saudi carrier Riyadh Air to operate flights to and from US territory. This regulatory milestone represents a crucial step in the airline’s global expansion strategy, which aims to connect more than 100 international destinations by 2030.

Transatlantic Expansion and Strategic Alliances

The US aviation authority determined that granting this permit is consistent with the public interest. The approval comes just a month after Riyadh Air formally filed its application with the US regulatory body.

As part of its entry into the North American market, the airline is moving forward with advanced commercial cooperation plans:

Global Agreements: The carrier is currently planning or has already established strategic alliances with at least 10 international operators.
Alliance with Delta Air Lines: Notably among these agreements is US carrier Delta, which has already announced plans to launch a direct, nonstop service to Riyadh from Atlanta International Airport in October.

→ Riyadh Air Launches Domestic Operations With Riyadh-Jeddah Flight

Modern Aviation’s Largest Startup

Launched in 2023, Riyadh Air is wholly owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and is positioned as Saudi Arabia’s second national carrier, operating alongside the incumbent Saudia. Its Chief Executive Officer, Tony Douglas, has described the project as “the largest global aviation startup in modern history.”

To back this ambitious claim, the airline holds a robust aircraft order book that includes:

Up to 72 Boeing 787 aircraft.
Up to 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft.
A batch of 50 Airbus A350 aircraft.

Fleet Development and Short-Term Route Network

The company’s operational growth is being executed at an accelerated pace. Following the launch of its inaugural flight to London last week utilizing its new Boeing fleet, Riyadh Air’s roadmap dictates that scheduled deliveries will boost its active fleet to a total of eight aircraft by the end of July.

Looking ahead to the near future, the operator projects serving 22 cities by March 2027. To date, the company’s officially announced routes include connections to Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester, with various cities in India expected to be added soon, according to statements by Douglas.

The launch of Riyadh Air’s operations responds directly to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign strategy to diversify its oil-dependent economy by boosting key emerging sectors such as tourism, technology, and transport logistics.