Riyadh Air to buy 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners; firms up order for Airbus jets

Riyadh Air and Boeing announced that the airline is exercising options for 28 more 787 Dreamliner jets as part of its growth plan. The agreement to exercise most of the options from Riyadh Air’s 2023 order also includes the conversion of 20 airplanes to the larger 787-10 variant.  The announcement includes a previously unidentified purchase of 11 of the ultra-efficient widebody jets. Once the remaining 17 airplanes are finalized, Riyadh Air’s firm order count will grow to 67 787 Dreamliners. “The commitment to firm up an additional 28 787 Dreamliners and introduce the 787-10 marks another significant milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey towards over 100 international destinations by 2030, a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions,” said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air. “Following the recent launch of full operations, guests have been hugely impressed with the Riyadh Air experience onboard our current fleet of six Boeing 787 jets. The addition of the 787-10 strengthens our ability to accommodate growing passenger and cargo demand while providing the operational flexibility required to support our ambitious network plans.” By operating the 787-9 and 787-10, Riyadh Air will benefit from fleet commonality, including shared flight deck systems, maintenance procedures and pilot training, helping deliver operational efficiencies while ensuring a consistent, premium guest experience across its network. “We are delighted to see Riyadh Air flying their new 787 airplanes in commercial service and we are deeply honored they are placing orders for additional 787 Dreamliner aircraft to support their future,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787-10 will be a great complement to Riyadh Air’s growing fleet and advance the airline’s mission to be a world-class airline that delivers an exceptional passenger experience.” Riyadh Air firms up order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft (IMAGE: Via Airbus) Riyadh Air has firmed up an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, increasing its total firm commitment for the type to 31 aircraft. The agreement forms part of the airline’s original commitment for up to 50 A350-1000s announced in 2025. Riyadh Air will become the first airline in Saudi Arabia to operate the A350-1000 and will use the aircraft to support its international growth ambitions and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives. “The firm-up of these additional aircraft reflects Riyadh Air’s continued confidence in its growth trajectory and in the future of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector,” said Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air. “Increasing our A350-1000 commitment to 31 aircraft strengthens the foundation of our future network and supports our ambition to serve more than 100 global destinations by 2030 while delivering a premium guest experience.” “We are proud to deepen our partnership with Riyadh Air as it continues to build a pioneering carrier for the Kingdom,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “This additional A350-1000 commitment reflects the airline’s confidence in the aircraft’s exceptional efficiency, range and passenger appeal. As Riyadh Air advances its ambitious growth plans, the A350-1000 will play an important role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives and helping position the Kingdom as a leading international aviation hub.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]