Saudi startup Riyadh Air has secured approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate US flights following its application last month.
On June 16, 2026, the Department of Transportation said that Riyadh Air’s application dated May 5, 2026, included an exemption under 49 U.S.C. §40109, and a foreign air carrier permit.
“We find that the grant of the requested exemption authority, as conditioned, for a two-year term, or until the requested permit authority becomes effective, whichever occurs earlier, is warranted,” the DOT document said.
The exemption essentially acts as a placeholder until the foreign air carrier permit is issued, allowing Riyadh Air to begin operations to and from the US.
“With respect to the applicant’s request for exemption authority, 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 authorized,” the DOT added.
The DOT also noted that its positive decision reflected the applicant being properly licensed by its “homeland to perform the proposed services” and that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had advised the department that it “knows of no reason why we should act unfavorably on the applicant’s requests”.
The action granting authority for Riyadh Air to begin operations is effective immediately. However, the DOT has the right to amend, modify, or revoke the decision at any time and without hearing.
It has been a busy two weeks for Riyadh Air, after launching its first full-service flight on June 10, 2026, with its maiden service to London-Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Then on June 14, 2026, the airline completed its first domestic commercial flight between the Saudi Arabian capital and Jeddah.
Further flights from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) will begin to Dubai on June 18, 2026, and Cairo on June 25, 2026. Flights will then begin to Madrid on July 17, 2026, and Manchester on July 23, 2026.
Although, not officially announced by Riyadh Air, there is speculation that the carrier will also launch routes to Amman (AMM) Islamabad (ISB), Lahore (LHE), Mumbai (BOM), Bangkok (BKK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Jakarta (CGK) and Manila (MNL).
