Major growth for Saudi region with bulk orders for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in flight at sunset.
Photo Credit: Boeing
Len Varley - Assistant Editor 6 Min Read
6 Min Read

Airline manufacturer Boeing has jointly announced the news of two major purchases of 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to be allocated in the Saudi Arabia region.

The new Saudi carrier Riyadh Air will commence operations with an all-Boeing fleet, following an order for 39 Dreamliners with an option for 33 more.

In addition, the Saudi national flag carrier SAUDIA is now set to grow its long-haul fleet with up to 49 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline has placed an order for 39 of the Boeing wide-body aircraft, with an option for 10 additional aircraft.

Riyadh Air


Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air has disclosed that it will purchase 39 787-9s, with options for an additional 33 787-9s.

Based in the capital city, Riyadh Air will play a key role in growing Saudi Arabia’s overall air transport network.

“The new airline reflects the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia to be at the core of shaping the future of global air travel and be a true disrupter in terms of customer experience,” said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.

SAUDIA


The national flag carrier SAUDIA currently operates more than 50 Boeing airplanes on its long-haul network, including the 777-300ER (Extended Range) as well as the 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner.

Todays order disclosure will see the flag carrier expand its fleet with 39 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 more.

These additional 787s will complement SAUDIA’s existing fleet, enabling it to effectively harness the value of the Boeing 777 and 787 families.

Photo: Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) today announced the national flag-carrier will grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 787 Dreamliners. Image Credit: Boeing

“SAUDIA continues its expansion efforts in all aspects of the airline; whether it’s introducing new destinations or increasing the aircraft fleet,” said His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group.

“The agreement with Boeing delivers on this commitment and the newly added aircraft will further enable SAUDIA to fulfill its strategic objective of bringing the world to the Kingdom”.

Saudi Arabia as a key aviation hub


The two agreements form part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub.

In total, Saudi Arabian carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history.

This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.   

Saudi Arabia is a significant player in the aviation industry, both regionally and globally. The country’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa makes it a critical hub for air travel.

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in developing its aviation infrastructure and expanding its fleet of aircraft to cater to the growing demand for air travel.

SAUDIA, the flag carrier of the country, is one of the largest airlines in the Middle East. The airline is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, which gives it access to a wider network of destinations and a larger customer base.

In addition to the national flag carrier SAUDIA, Saudi Arabia is home to several other airlines, including flynas, Nesma Airlines, and SaudiGulf Airlines. These airlines have also contributed to the growth of the aviation market sector in the country.

Saudi Arabia is also investing heavily in building new airports and expanding existing ones to meet the growing demand for air travel.

The country’s flagship airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, recently underwent a major expansion that has increased its capacity to handle over 30 million passengers per year.

Other airports in the country, such as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, are also undergoing expansion projects to accommodate more passengers and larger aircraft.

About the 787-9 Dreamliner


The Boeing 787-9 provides the longest range of the 787 family of airplanes, flying approximately 300 passengers 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), with additional cargo capacity.

Passengers enjoy a better experience with the largest windows of any jet, air that is more humid and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort, large overhead bins with room for everyone’s bag; soothing LED lighting, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.

The 787 family is delivering unmatched fuel efficiency to airline operators around the world reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to airplanes they replace.

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