Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air has officially joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), after operating its first daily commercial flight between Riyadh and London on 10 June, in a step that integrates the Kingdom's new airline into the global aviation system.
Riyadh Air celebrated joining IATA during the World Air Transport Summit and IATA's 82nd Annual General Meeting, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to a post on the Riyadh Air website.
Joining IATA strengthens Riyadh Air's operational readiness and supports its commitment to safety and efficiency standards, as well as expanding opportunities for cooperation with airlines and aviation organizations worldwide.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said joining IATA is a recognition of the airline's commitment and efforts to meet, and often exceed, the industry's highest standards, as well as an opportunity to connect and cooperate with global peers among the airlines that have been IATA members since its founding in 1945.
Riyadh Air thus joins more than 360 member airlines from 129 countries and territories around the world, together representing around 85% of global air traffic.
IATA membership gives airlines global recognition, allowing them to benefit from unified operating procedures, easier flight connections and training programs to industry standards, supporting efficiency and safety and strengthening cooperation between airlines.
Joining IATA is also linked to supporting the aviation sector's goals, including achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with Riyadh Air's drive to integrate sustainability into its operations.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh said IATA looks forward to Riyadh Air contributing effectively to supporting the priorities of the global aviation industry and strengthening the growth of the Saudi aviation sector, as well as its expected role in expanding air connectivity between the Kingdom and destinations around the world.
As part of its environmental goals, Riyadh Air has adopted IATA's CO2 Connect program, which aims to enhance transparency in calculating carbon dioxide emissions in aviation.
The official agreement to adopt the program was signed by Kamil Alawadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, and Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Air.
CO2 Connect is based on airlines' actual fuel consumption and operational data, rather than general theoretical models, providing more accurate and transparent calculations of carbon dioxide emissions for each individual flight.
The program provides travelers and corporate travel managers with reliable data on the carbon footprint of flights, helping them make more environmentally conscious travel decisions.
Riyadh Air took delivery of its first 3 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, two on 5 June and one on 7 June, coinciding with the start of commercial operations on the route linking Riyadh and London Heathrow, followed by flights to Jeddah from 14 June.
The airline aims to reach more than 100 destinations by 2030, with further aircraft deliveries planned as part of its fleet expansion in the coming period.
To view the post on the Riyadh Air website, click here.
