WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced in an order Tuesday that Saudi Arabia’s new airline Riyadh Airways has won the right to operate flights to and from the United States.
Last week, the airline launched its first London flight with its new Boeing aircraft. Launched in 2023, Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s second national airline after Saudi Arabia and is owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund. The USDOT said, “The granting of this authority is consistent with the public interest.”
Riyadh Air told the USDOT when it sought approval last month that it intended to operate more than 100 flights.
It will serve international destinations by 2030 and currently has partnerships or plans to partner with at least 10 international airlines, including Delta Air Lines.
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will begin nonstop flights from Atlanta to Riyadh in October.
Riyadh CEO Tony Douglas said last week that the airline plans to increase its fleet to eight aircraft by the end of July and fly to 22 destinations by March 2027.
With up to 72 787s, 60 A321neos and 50 A350s on order, Douglas calls the company “the biggest global aviation startup in modern history.” The airline is part of the oil-rich country’s plans to diversify its economy into new industries such as tourism, logistics and technology.
Riyadh Air has previously announced routes to Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester, and Indian cities are likely to follow suit, Douglas said.
(Reporting by David Shepherdson; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
