Saudi Arabia's Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority has signed a framework agreement admitting Riyadh Air to the unified government travel framework, giving the carrier access to public sector bookings through the Etimad procurement platform, Emerging Travel reported on August 19.

The move channels state travel spending towards a carrier that has been operating for barely a year and remains far short of scale, in a market where Saudia has long held government traffic. Riyadh Air, owned by the Public Investment Fund, serves 11 destinations and is targeting 100 by 2030, an expansion that depends on filling seats on thin new routes.

The agreement was signed with the Ministry of Finance and the National Center for Government Resource Systems. It covers government ERCAB services, through which public bodies and their beneficiaries book travel.

The authority said the addition increases competition among national carriers and supports seat capacity, destination coverage and flight schedules for public sector travellers.