Riyadh Air Partners With UNGC To Embed UN Sustainability Goals In Its Operations

Riyadh Air, the newly established world-class airline from Saudi Arabia, has taken a significant step towards sustainability by joining the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), as announced in a recent press release. This move aligns with the airline's commitment to responsible business practices and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Riyadh Air's CEO, Tony Douglas, in a letter to UN Secretary General António Guterres, pledged to adhere to the UNGC's Ten Principles, covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

As an active member of the UNGC, Riyadh Air is set to implement sustainable and socially responsible policies across its operations. The airline has also announced its plans to publish its first Sustainability Report before its inaugural flight in mid-2025. This report will detail Riyadh Air's efforts towards supporting the 17 UN SDGs and its commitment to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies into every facet of its business.

Douglas emphasized the airline's dedication to minimizing its environmental impact and contributing to Saudi Arabia's sustainability goals. He highlighted the use of modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and GeNX 1B engines, known for their improved environmental performance. Douglas assured that sustainability would be a core aspect of Riyadh Air's operations, from flight and ground operations to office culture and employee practices.

The UNGC, launched in July 2000, is a voluntary initiative aimed at encouraging global companies to adopt sustainable corporate policies. By joining this network, Riyadh Air gains access to a plethora of tools and resources for enhancing its team's learning and development in sustainability. UNGC Executive Director Ibrahim Alhelali welcomed Riyadh Air into the network, acknowledging their early commitment to aviation sustainability even before commencing operations.

Riyadh Air aims to redefine air travel by becoming "the world’s most forward-thinking carrier" with a focus on sustainability, reliability, comfort, and hospitality. As a digitally native full-service carrier, it plans to introduce new technologies and innovations while offering authentic Saudi hospitality. The airline is poised to play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, contributing significantly to the country's economic diversification and job creation as part of Vision 2030. With plans to fly to over 100 destinations, Riyadh Air is expected to contribute $20 billion to KSA’s non-oil GDP growth and create over 200,000 jobs globally and locally.

With inputs from SPA