SAUDI ARABIA: US DOT Finalises Riyadh Air's Exemption, FACP

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia

• US Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Aviation Services Company d/b/a Riyadh Air a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority subject to conditions.
• In May, Riyadh Air requested the permits for scheduled and charter flights covering passengers, cargo, and mail from points behind Saudi Arabia via Saudi Arabia and intermediate points to the United States and beyond under the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Air Transport Agreement.
• Riyadh Air anticipates launching non-stop service from Saudi Arabia to the United States upon receipt of all required government approvals. As such, the carrier must also work with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Field Office (IFO) to secure safety approval and operational specifications under 14 CFR Part 129.
• Riyadh Air is 100% owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. PIF is the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is fully owned by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
• Riyadh Air was established under Saudi Arabia’s PIF in March 2023, received its Air Operator Certificate from the Saudi GACA in February 2025. It plans to expand its global operations rapidly, with more than 180 aircraft on order including 72 Boeing 787-9s, 60 A321neo, and 50 A350-1000s.
• Riyadh Air intends to operate to more than 100 international destinations by 2030 and currently has or is planning to enter into partnerships with at least 10 international air carriers including Delta Air Lines.
• It currently connects its Riyadh hub with destinations in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Sources:

• US Department of Transportation