The U.S. Transportation Department on Tuesday approved Riyadh Air's request to operate flights to and from the United States, granting the Saudi-backed carrier authority it said is "consistent with the public interest." The decision clears a regulatory hurdle for the airline as it pursues rapid international expansion.
Riyadh Air, established in 2023 and owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, began commercial service last week with its inaugural London flight using its new Boeing aircraft. The airline is Saudi Arabia's second national carrier alongside Saudia.
In its application for U.S. authority last month, Riyadh Air said it intends to serve more than 100 international destinations by 2030 and that it has or is pursuing partnerships with at least 10 international carriers, including a tie-up with Delta Air Lines. Delta has announced plans to launch nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh in October.
Riyadh Air's leadership has outlined an aggressive fleet build-out and route timetable. Deliveries this year are expected to bring the airline's operational fleet to eight aircraft by the end of July, and the carrier expects to be flying to 22 cities by March 2027, according to Riyadh CEO Tony Douglas. Douglas has described the company - which has orders including up to 72 Boeing 787s, as many as 60 A321neos, and 50 A350s - as "the biggest global aviation startup in modern history."
The carrier has already announced services or route plans to cities including Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester, and Douglas indicated that cities in India are likely to follow.
Riyadh Air is part of the Saudi government's broader strategy to diversify an oil-dependent economy by developing sectors such as tourism, logistics and technology. The airline's growth plan, its aircraft orders and international partnerships are central elements of that diversification effort.
Contextual note: The U.S. Transportation Department's statement framed the grant of authority as aligned with the public interest. Beyond that statement and the carrier's disclosed plans, the application and approval reflect regulatory clearance rather than operational schedules or commercial performance metrics.