Saudi Arabian startup Riyadh Air is making significant progress towards its official launch, with its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) expected by the end of 2024 and plans to announce its initial routes in early 2025. CEO Tony Douglas shared these updates during the Routes World 2024 event in Bahrain, where he confirmed the airline is currently conducting route-proving flights and is just days away from completing the AOC process.
Riyadh Air has ordered 39 Boeing 787-9s, with an additional 33 options, which will serve as its launch aircraft. These long-haul planes will connect to regional destinations through Riyadh, maximizing aircraft utilization. The airline’s goal is to serve 100 destinations within its first five years of operation. In addition, Riyadh Air is expected to announce a narrowbody aircraft order soon, allowing it to expand operations within a year of launch. The airline has also begun planning for the acquisition of larger widebody aircraft.
Delivery delays remain a concern, with Douglas noting that the airline’s plans have already been revised three times. Nonetheless, Riyadh Air is on track to reveal its booking platform later this month. The new platform, described as “biometric-led,” will use facial recognition technology to streamline interactions such as flight reservations and loyalty program management.
Douglas highlighted the airline’s focus on technology, comparing Riyadh Air’s digital approach to that of Amazon. However, this tech-driven strategy has created challenges in integrating with partner airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. Despite this, partnerships remain crucial for Riyadh Air, and the airline is actively seeking additional partners in Western Europe and the Indian subcontinent.
