Riyadh Air Launch Delayed To Late 2025

Riyadh Air’s launch has been seemingly delayed until late 2025, despite having secured its Air Operator Certification (AOC).

The airline subly confirmed the latest delay in an official post across social lines, stating that the AOC approval would pave the way for the first “inaugural commercial flight by the end of 2025.​”

These comments change the previously announced Q3 estimate for the first flight. A late 2025 Q4 seems more likely, permitting no further delays.

Initially, Riyadh Air targeted a launch that would’ve seen it flying now; however, it was forced to push back the first flight to midway through 2025.

After Boeing confirmed further delays, Riyadh Air believed a Q3 launch would be achieved. However, it has now subtly confirmed that a late 2025 launch is more realistic.

With all the uncertainty, it remains challenging to confirm that the airline will be able to launch in 2025. Many airlines have been forced to push back deliveries on more than one occasion; for Riyadh Air, they’ll be hoping this will not be the case.

Why Riyadh Air’s Launch Is Delayed

Riyadh Air’s launch is frustrating for the carrier and out of its control. Boeing controls the airline’s fate despite working hard to achieve the necessary AOC.

The American planemaker will be pivotal in the airline’s launch proceedings. The 787 will be the first aircraft to fly commercial flights with orders placed for up to 72 Dreamliners in early-2023.

However, Riyadh Air has been in close communication with Boeing and has been forced to postpone the launch of its operations because of the effects hitting the American planemaker.

Boeing has had a challenging last half-decade, and during the previous 12 months, significant increases in oversight have prevented production from jumping to the hopeful rates the manufacturer initially targeted.

Moreover, supply chain woes have limited Boeing’s ability to produce aircraft on time and thus deliver the aircraft they make for customers when they initially expect them.

As a result, while some airlines struggle to get their new planes on time, the impact on other companies can be more severe, especially for an emerging airline such as Riyadh Air, which needs planes to begin commercial service.

Those significant uncertainties over when aircraft deliveries will occur mean Riyadh Air struggles to plan for an official launch of its scheduled operations.