Riyadh Air has secured approval to launch U.S. services by the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT), the highest authority regarding any method of transport within the country. The permit is valid for a period of two years and it is effective immediately.
The Approval
Riyadh Air applied in May for an international airline permit and exemption authority, when it solicited to operate scheduled charter flights to destinations within the U.S. from places inside and close to Saudi Arabia. The exemption was granted on June 16 and shall start immediately, and the carrier’s permit is valid for two years.
Justifying the emission of the permit, DOT has expressed:
“We find that the grant of this authority is consistent with the public interest and that the applicant has demonstrated, based on the record, that it is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorised.”
The authority then explained that they sought Federal Aviation Authority’s (FAA) advice. The FAA disclosed that they were unaware of any reasons that should impede the carrier from operating within U.S.’ land, which contributed to DOT’s decision to emit the permit.
Current and Future Services
Although the services to the U.S. are yet to be scheduled, the airline has officially began operations. Domestic services began on June 14, linking Riyadh to Jeddah, and on June 10, the carrier’s first international flights were operated to London Heathrow (LHR).
Besides the domestic services between Riyadh to Jeddah, which are:
- Cairo, Egypt.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Manchester, United Kingdom.
- Madrid, Spain.
Currently, the airline is operating with five B787-9s, and has ordered 35 of the same aircraft. 60 A321neo and 25 A350-1000s are also in order.
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