Riyadh Air Seeks U.S. Operating Approval Amid Aircraft Delivery Delays
Riyadh Air, a Saudi Arabian airline established in 2023, has applied for a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This request is part of the airline's strategy to operate scheduled and charter services between Saudi Arabia and the U.S., aligning with the bilateral air services agreement between the two nations. Despite plans to launch international services, Riyadh Air has yet to receive its first new-build aircraft, which includes orders for Boeing 787-9s, Airbus A350-1000s, and A321neos. The airline has been conducting limited proving flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow using a leased Boeing 787-9. Riyadh Air is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and establish Riyadh as a global aviation hub. 
