Riyadh Air Wins Approval For U.S. Operations
Riyadh Air has gained approval from the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) to operate service to the U.S.
The Saudi startup had formally applied for U.S. operating authority in May, requesting a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority to operate scheduled and charter services from points in, around and via Saudi Arabia to points in the U.S. and beyond. A June 16 order grants the exemption, while awarding tentative approval for the foreign air carrier permit, subject to a standard show-cause process.
Riyadh’s exemption is effective immediately and will remain valid for two years or until the permit becomes final.
“We find that the grant of this authority is consistent with the public interest and that the applicant has demonstrated, based on the record, that it is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorized,” DOT wrote in its order. “We also note that the applicant is properly licensed by its homeland to perform the proposed services. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration advised us that it knows of no reason why we should act unfavorably on the applicant’s requests.”
The new carrier launched public ticket sales in mid-May. Daily domestic flights to Jeddah began on June 14 and will be joined by upcoming service to Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester, “with additional routes to follow in the coming weeks,” it said. The carrier celebrated an inaugural international commercial flight to London Heathrow on June 10.
Limited flights between Riyadh and Heathrow began in late 2025 for staff and family members. In March, Riyadh Air secured slots for 15 destinations during the northern summer 2026 season. It aims to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, “as aircraft delivery accelerates.” The carrier currently has five Boeing 787-9s, with 35 of the type remaining on order plus options for 33 more, according to Aviation Week’s Fleet Discovery database, in addition to firm orders for 60 Airbus A321neos, and 25 A350-1000s.
Following its inaugural flights to London and Jeddah, Riyadh Air officially joined the International Air Transport Association.
