Riyadh Air has secured membership of the International Air Transport Association, adding a global industry credential as the start-up carrier moves from launch flights to a wider scheduled network from the Saudi capital.The Public Investment Fund-owned airline was formally welcomed into the airline body during the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Rio de Janeiro, after completing its first services to London and Jeddah. The move places Riyadh Air inside a global forum representing more than 360 airlines across 129 countries and territories, accounting for about 85 per cent of world air traffic.
The membership gives Riyadh Air access to standardised operating practices, industry training, interline frameworks and policy channels used by established international carriers. It also strengthens the airline’s commercial standing as it seeks to build transfer traffic through King Khalid International Airport and position Riyadh as a major hub between Europe, Asia and Africa.
Riyadh Air chief executive Tony Douglas said membership reflected the work undertaken by the airline’s teams to meet global industry standards and gave the carrier “a seat at the table” with airlines that have shaped the association since its creation in 1945. IATA director general Willie Walsh welcomed the carrier and said its participation would support industry priorities and the growth of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and global connectivity.
The airline’s IATA designator is RX, its ICAO code is RXI and its airline code is 122. Its legal name is Aviation Services Company, with the carrier operating under the Riyadh Air brand. These identifiers are crucial for ticketing, scheduling, distribution, baggage handling and interline processes as the airline expands beyond its initial routes.
The step comes during a decisive month for the carrier. Boeing delivered Riyadh Air’s first two 787 Dreamliner aircraft in early June, part of an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9s. The wide-body aircraft will support both regional and long-haul services, giving the airline the range to compete on premium international routes while building connectivity from Riyadh.
Riyadh Air brought forward its London Heathrow launch and followed it with its first domestic service to Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. Its next phase includes services to Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester, with management targeting 22 destinations by March 2027. The longer-term objective remains a network of more than 100 destinations by 2030.
The airline is entering the market at a difficult point for global aviation. IATA has cut its 2026 airline industry profit forecast to $23 billion from an earlier estimate of $41 billion, as higher fuel prices, airspace disruption and aircraft delivery delays squeeze margins. Net profit per passenger is expected to fall to about $4.50, underlining the pressure carriers face even as demand for travel remains resilient.
Riyadh Air’s launch during regional instability has drawn attention because established Gulf carriers have faced airspace closures, longer routings and higher operating costs. Douglas has argued that the new airline’s small initial fleet gives it flexibility at a time when larger carriers must manage hundreds of aircraft across disrupted networks. Deliveries are expected to lift its fleet rapidly, allowing a controlled ramp-up rather than an immediate full-scale rollout.
The airline is also using IATA membership to reinforce its sustainability and data credentials. Riyadh Air is adopting IATA’s CO2 Connect programme, designed to provide more transparent emissions calculations for passengers and corporate customers. The agreement was signed by Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s regional vice-president for Africa and the Middle East, and Vincent Coste, Riyadh Air’s chief commercial officer.
The carrier’s growth strategy is central to Saudi Arabia’s wider aviation and tourism plan. Riyadh Air was launched in 2023 as a new national carrier intended to complement existing operators, attract visitors, support business travel and help develop Riyadh as an international aviation centre. The airline has said it aims to contribute around $20 billion to non-oil GDP by 2030.
Riyadh Air is not relying solely on aircraft orders to differentiate itself. Its pitch combines premium cabins, digital retailing, loyalty technology and partnerships rather than immediate entry into a global alliance. Douglas has signalled that the carrier prefers bilateral relationships with selected airlines, a model that could give it wider reach while retaining strategic control over its network and customer proposition.
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Saudi Arabia