Riyadh Air Receives AOC from GACA, Eyes to Launch Flights by End of 2025

RIYADH- The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has officially granted an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to Riyadh Air (RX), authorizing the airline to begin commercial flight operations from King Khalid International Airport (RUH).

This milestone confirms Riyadh Air’s full compliance with Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulations, international standards, and flight safety requirements under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Photo: Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air Gets AOC

The AOC issuance follows GACA’s comprehensive audit of Riyadh Air’s technical and aircraft systems, operational readiness, equipment, and qualifications of both flight and ground personnel.

The rigorous certification process extended over 11 months, involving a dedicated team of 10 Saudi aviation safety inspectors who conducted over 200 hours of test flights to ensure compliance with the highest operational standards.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas highlighted the significance of this achievement:

Photo: Clément Alloing

Strategic Growth Plans

Riyadh Air is projected to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, supported by an order of over 132 aircraft. The airline will play a critical role in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy, with expectations to:

• Create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs
• Contribute approximately $19.9 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP
• Enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a global aviation hub

This operational license follows the earlier issuance of an Economic License to Riyadh Air (RX) in June 2023, completing the regulatory framework necessary for the airline’s launch.

Photo: Dubai Airshow

Saudi Aviation Sector’s Unprecedented Growth

The certification of Riyadh Air comes amid record-breaking momentum for Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. Key 2024 performance indicators include:

• Passenger traffic increased 15% to exceed 128 million – approximately 25% above pre-pandemic levels
• Flight operations grew 11% to reach over 905,000 annual flights
• Air connectivity expanded 16%, linking the Kingdom to more than 170 global destinations
• Air cargo volumes surged 34% to reach 1.2 million tons in total volume

This robust growth aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a premier global transportation and logistics hub.

About GACA

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) serves as Saudi Arabia’s primary regulatory body overseeing all civil aviation activities within the Kingdom. GACA establishes mandatory regulations ensuring air transportation safety, issues certifications for aviation sector employees, and develops air transportation infrastructure according to international standards.

GACA’s history began in 1948 with the establishment of the Civil Aviation Authority, which initially included Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Civil Aviation Administration. In 1959, Saudi Arabian Airlines separated from civil aviation, transforming the remainder into the Civil Aviation Directorate. The organization underwent restructuring in 1977 to become the Presidency of Civil Aviation.

The Council of Ministers passed a resolution in 2004 renaming the entity from the Presidency of Civil Aviation to GACA. By 2011, GACA achieved independence from the Ministry of Defense. A Royal Decree in 2016 linked GACA to the Ministry of Transport, followed by another decree in 2017 separating GACA’s regulatory functions from its operational responsibilities to strengthen its position as the Kingdom’s aviation industry regulator.

GACA maintains public legal status with financial and administrative autonomy while organizationally connecting to the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services. A board of directors manages GACA’s affairs under the chairmanship of the Minister of Transport.

The organization operates from headquarters in Riyadh and oversees twenty-eight airports across Saudi Arabia—fourteen international and fourteen domestic—serving all regions, cities, and governorates.

Photo: Riyadh Air

Insider Details on Launch

Riyadh Air faces further delays in its operational launch, now pushed to the fourth quarter of 2025, according to exclusive sources at Aviation A2Z.

The airline originally planned to commence operations in the second quarter of 2025 before announcing a shift to Q3. This latest setback marks the second postponement of the carrier’s debut.

Production delays of Boeing 787 Dreamliners appear to be the primary cause. Seven Riyadh Air aircraft are currently in various stages of production at Boeing’s Charleston factory in South Carolina.

The airline has committed to powering its 787 fleet with General Electric GEnX-1B engines. The specific aircraft in production include:

• Line Number 1265 (Variable Number ZF041)
• Line Number 1279 (Variable Number ZF042)
• LN 1284 (Variable Number ZF043)
• Line Number 1290 (Variable Number ZF044)
• Line Number 1300 (Variable Number ZF045)
• LN 1307 (Variable Number ZF046)
• Line Number 1312 (Variable Number ZF047)

The current production status shows Boeing processing line numbers 1234 to 1237 in final assembly. Based on the existing backlog, aviation experts anticipate Riyadh Air will receive its first aircraft no earlier than Q4 2025, with potential further delays pushing delivery into 2026.

In preparation for operations, Riyadh Air has leased a 787-9 Dreamliner to serve as a technical and spare aircraft. This leased plane will facilitate essential training for pilots, cabin crew, and technical staff including aircraft engineers and technicians.

The airline has also secured its ground handling operations through a SAR 500 million contract with Saudi Ground Services Company. The agreement spans three years with provisions for a two-year extension option.

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