Sunday, October 6, 2024 Saudi Arabian startup Riyadh Air is making significant progress towards launching operations, with ambitious plans to serve 100 destinations within five years. However, the airline’s journey has not been without challenges. According to Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, the airline’s plans have already been revised three times, a reflection of the complexities involved in launching a new carrier in the highly competitive aviation market.
Speaking at the Routes World 2024 conference in Bahrain, Douglas explained that Riyadh Air is nearing the final stages of securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), a crucial step that will allow the airline to begin commercial operations. “We’re into route-proving flights at the moment,” Douglas said. “ We’re days away from completing that process.
We’ll have an AOC by the end of the year.” One of the key reasons for the multiple revisions to Riyadh Air’s plans has been delivery delays of its aircraft. Riyadh Air has placed an order for 39 Boeing 787-9s, with an additional 33 options, which will serve as the backbone of its fleet.
These aircraft are designed to operate long-haul routes, as well as connecting regional destinations through Riyadh, maximizing utilization. “Delivery delays are an ever-present threat,” Douglas noted, adding that the airline has had to adjust its timeline three times due to these delays. Despite these setbacks, Riyadh Air remains committed to its goal of serving 100 des.
