
GACA Grants Air Operator Certificate to Riyadh Air, Paving the Way for Launch of Commercial Flights
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and GACA Chairman of the Board of Directors Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
The issuance of the certificate follows Riyadh Air's successful fulfillment of all regulatory and operational requirements in accordance with the executive regulations of the Civil Aviation Law, particularly those related to safety, security, and operational quality standards, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
This milestone reflects GACA's commitment to upholding world-class regulatory practices. The updated AOC marks a significant step toward enhancing the passenger experience and maintaining the highest aviation safety standards.
It also supports GACA's broader efforts to create an attractive investment environment and to foster the growth and sustainability of the aviation sector, in line with the goals of the National Aviation Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Jasser emphasized that the issuance of the AOC to Riyadh Air represents a foundational pillar of the Kingdom's aviation strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as the Middle East's leading aviation hub by 2030. The strategy includes transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics hub connecting three continents, supporting tourism objectives, and establishing Riyadh as a global gateway and central hub for transportation, trade, and tourism.
Riyadh Air plans to operate flights to over 100 international destinations by 2030. The airline has placed orders for more than 132 aircraft and is expected to generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the aviation sector, contributing an estimated SAR75 billion to the Kingdom's non-oil GDP.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Saudi Gazette
13 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Societe Generale appointed as primary dealer for Saudi local debt instruments
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Finance and the National Debt Management Center (NDMC) have signed an agreement with Societe Generale, appointing the French banking giant as a primary dealer for the Kingdom's local debt instruments. With this move, Societe Generale joins five other international institutions — BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Standard Chartered Bank — already designated as primary dealers. It also becomes part of a group that includes ten local institutions: the Saudi National Bank (SNB), Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), AlJazira Bank, Alinma Bank, AlRajhi Bank, Albilad Capital, AlJazira Capital, AlRajhi Capital, Derayah Financial Company, and Saudi Fransi Capital. The agreement aligns with the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's financial sector and enhancing the depth and resilience of its capital markets. The Ministry of Finance emphasized that the NDMC continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating access to Saudi Arabia's local debt markets by broadening the investor base. This diversification is intended to ensure sustainable access to the secondary market and support its ongoing for subscription in the primary market of Saudi local debt instruments are received on a scheduled monthly must submit their applications through the appointed primary dealers, who serve as the gateway to market participation under the current regulatory framework.


Argaam
a day ago
- Argaam
Société Générale hired as primary dealer for local gov't debt instruments
The Ministry of Finance and the National Debt Management Center (NDMC) signed an agreement with Société Générale to appoint the latter as a primary dealer for local government debt instruments. In a statement, NDMC said Société Générale joined five international financial institutions previously enrolled in the primary dealer program. They include BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Standard Chartered. This is in addition to the 10 local financial institutions: Saudi National Bank (SNB), Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), Bank AlJazira, Alinma Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, Albilad Capital, AlJazira Capital, Al Rajhi Capital, Derayah Financial, and Saudi Fransi Capital. NDMC noted that this agreement is part of ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 under the Financial Sector Development Program through enabling financial institutions and developing an advanced capital market. It also highlighted the role of the NDMC in enhancing access to local debt markets through diversifying the investor base to ensure sustainable access and support the development of the secondary market.


Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Industry Ministry: Record 144% Surge in New Mining Exploitation Licenses in H1 2025
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Thursday a significant rise in new mining exploitation licenses during the first half of 2025, marking a 144% increase compared to the same period in 2024. A total of 22 licenses were issued - up from just nine in the previous year - reflecting growing investor interest and the ministry's efforts to create a more attractive and competitive mining environment. The jump is also aligned with the rapid development of the Saudi mining sector, which is undergoing as part of the country's broader push for economic diversification. According to the ministry's spokesperson, Jarrah bin Mohammed Al-Jarrah, 23 companies were granted exploitation licenses during this period, 16 of them receiving a mining license for the very first time. Combined, these projects represent investments exceeding SAR134 million and cover an area of 47 square kilometers. Annual production capacity from the newly licensed operations is estimated at 7.86 million tons of various mineral resources, including salt, clay, silica sand, low-grade iron ore, feldspar, and gypsum. Currently, the Kingdom holds a total of 239 active mining exploitation and small-mine licenses. Of these, 32 fall under Category A, covering high-value minerals such as gold, copper, phosphate, and bauxite, while the remaining 207 are Category B licenses for a range of other minerals, including silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay. The ministry underlined its commitment to advancing the mining sector as a central pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. With mineral wealth in the Kingdom estimated at over SAR9.4 trillion, the sector is being positioned as the third key industrial pillar, supporting national efforts to diversify sources of income and drive sustainable economic growth.