Riyadh Air has unveiled the first electric bus in its employee transportation fleet, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to reduce carbon emissions. This initiative, developed in collaboration with National Transportation Solutions Co. (a division of Petromin Corp.) and TAM-Europe, aims to integrate advanced digital solutions into public transportation, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment in Riyadh.
This effort underscores Riyadh Air’s commitment to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, following its recent affiliation with the UN Global Compact in 2024. The introduction of electric buses is expected to enhance fuel efficiency and decrease the number of individual vehicles on the roads, reducing the city’s overall carbon footprint.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, emphasized the airline’s dedication to sustainability, stating, “Every effort we make to champion sustainable practices counts in our collective fight against climate change. Sustainability is embedded in our DNA, and we will reflect this across all operations, from managing fuel efficiency in the sky to reducing carbon emissions on the ground.”
Douglas highlighted the investment in electric coaches as an early initiative to offset the airline’s environmental impact, demonstrating Riyadh Air’s commitment to leading the aviation industry’s global net-zero agenda.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to electrify transportation, this initiative supports the Kingdom’s goal to cut carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030. According to the International Energy Agency, private vehicles accounted for over 25% of global oil consumption and around 10% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2022.
Kalyana Sivagnanam, Group CEO of Petromin Corp., expressed pride in the partnership with Riyadh Air, praising the airline’s commitment to sustainability. This initiative follows Riyadh Air’s agreement with GE Aerospace to implement flight operations software solutions aimed at optimizing fuel consumption, enhancing safety, and strengthening the airline’s sustainability efforts.
