Riyadh Air Applies For US Flights: Which Cities Will It Serve First?

The newest airline in the Middle East, Riyadh Air, has just sought permission from the United States Department of Transportation to commence operating non-stop flights to the United States. The airline applied for a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority on Tuesday, May 6.

According to Travel and Tour World, the attorneys that are representing Riyadh Air had requested that the DOT handle this request ‘promptly’, under streamlined licensing procedures. The airline is hoping to serve 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade, and so far has announced just Jeddah, Madrid, Manchester, London, Dubai, and Cairo.

Saudi Arabia’s Newest Flag Carrier

Riyadh Air 787 aircraft parked dark livery

Riyadh Air is expected to work alongside the current flag carrier Saudia, and Riyadh Air will take over all operations to and from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RIH). While the airline has faced several delays outside of its control to get the airline off the ground more quickly, this has not stopped the new airline from seeking its U.S. permit.

According to the airline, it hopes to serve the United States with its fleet of Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which the airline has around 25 on order. The airline has not identified which US cities it plans to serve. The airline remains in a start-up phase, and while it launched flights to London last year, service remains limited and is only available to company officials. The airline shared the below statement as reported by Skift:

“We have applied for an operational permit to fly to the U.S. That’s part of our operational plans for the future. These routes will be targeted to fly on the Airbus A350 widebody aircraft once they start arriving.”

Where Might Riyadh Air Fly In The United States

Linking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States is important for Riyadh Air, is particularly important for the start-up carrier as these flights are expected to yield high returns. This is not only for business purposes but also for an increasing number of leisure passengers visiting Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region.

These steps taken by Riyadh Air to apply with DOT are the next step in the airline’s identifying its next target markets and setting out to build a world-class network that shows the airline is committed to flying far and wide. Not only will these services to the US offer another airline of choice to the Middle East, but a new opportunity for transit via Riyadh to the likes of Asia and Africa (once further destinations are announced).

Without a crystal ball, it remains difficult to confirm where Riyadh Air will operate, but its partner Delta Air Lines has already announced non-stop services to Riyadh from Atlanta (ATL). Saudia already operates from the Kingdom to New York JFK Airport (JFK) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Could these be a sign of where the airline will fly?

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The Sky Is The Limit For Riyadh Air

Earlier this year, Simple Flying analyzed the proposed Riyadh Air network, and while only six routes are confirmed, there are several others that disclosed that the airline is keen on serving 15 markets initially, with ‘no surprises’. These destinations include Manchester, London, Paris, and Madrid in Europe, Amman, Cairo, Dubai, and Jeddah in the Middle East, and Islamabad, Lahore, Mumbai, Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta in Asia.

Potential expansion across the Atlantic Ocean for North America, and in particular the United States, is the practical next step for this airline start-up, and it is hoped that the DOT will grant permissions soon so the airline can therefore announce where it plans to serve next. The airline’s expansion of services from its Riyadh hub will mark a new chapter in the airport’s transformation and become a new long-haul connection point for travelers to and through the Kingdom.

Riyadh is set to be yet another full-service, high-quality carrier serving the Middle East and will compete alongside the likes of Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways. Riyadh Air will be faced with a highly competitive landscape where high service quality is crucially important, and the airline’s premium offerings will be key to its long-term success.