Riyadh Air, a Saudi airline, has launched the first bus in its electric coach fleet for staff transportation, in line with the Kingdom’s carbon emission reduction objectives under the “Vision 2030” economic diversification agenda.
Developed in collaboration with TAM-Europe and National Transportation Solutions, a branch of Petromin Corp, the fleet intends to enhance digital solutions in public transportation.
With its recent membership in the United Nations Global Compact in 2024, Riyadh Air has demonstrated its commitment to the global body’s “17 Sustainable Development Goals” through this programme.
It is anticipated that electric buses will increase fuel economy and decrease the number of individual cars on Riyadh’s roadways, resulting in a more sustainable urban setting.
“Every effort we make to advocate sustainable practices matters in our collective fight against climate change,” stated Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
“We will reflect sustainability across all Riyadh Air activities, from managing fuel economy in the skies to decreasing carbon emissions on the ground,” he continued, while stating, “Sustainability is inherent in our DNA.”
According to the CEO, the airline is leading the global aviation industry’s net-zero mission and this early move to mitigate its environmental impact is its investment in electric coaches.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is promoting the electrification of transportation throughout the country to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 278 million metric tons annually by the year 2030.
As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2022, private vehicles and vans were responsible for more than 25% of the world’s oil consumption and around 10% of carbon dioxide emissions related to energy.
“We are pleased to support Riyadh Air in its pursuit of sustainability objectives through our collaboration for sustainable transportation,” said Petromin Corp’s group CEO, Kalyana Sivagnanam, who further praised the airline for its exceptional performance and commitment to environmental responsibility.
This project is a follow-up to Riyadh Air and GE Aerospace’s agreement to use FlightPulse, Fuel Insight, and Safety Insight as flight operations software solutions.
Launched in July, the alliance seeks to improve safety procedures, maximise fuel efficiency, and bolster the airline’s environmental initiatives.