Saudi Arabia’s Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) has signed a framework agreement bringing Riyadh Air into the unified government travel framework, opening the carrier to public sector bookings through the Etimad platform, the authority said on August 19.
The deal gives the start-up carrier access to a guaranteed corporate volume base at a point when it is still building route density, and puts it in direct competition with Saudia for government traffic. Riyadh Air currently serves 11 domestic and international destinations from the capital and is targeting 100 by 2030.
The agreement was concluded in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the National Center for Government Resource Systems. It covers government ERCAB services, the mechanism through which public bodies and their beneficiaries book travel.
EXPRO said adding Riyadh Air widens the options available to government entities and increases competition among national carriers, supporting seat capacity, destination coverage, flight schedules and service packages for public sector employees.
For travel management companies and agents handling Saudi public sector accounts, Etimad bookings will carry Riyadh Air inventory alongside Saudia, which changes route options out of Riyadh and gives buyers leverage on fares and packages.