Saudi startup premium airline Riyadh Air is planning a further widebody purchase which it hopes to finalize in 2025.
Speaking to Reuters, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas revealed that the new airline is considering either the Boeing 777X or the Airbus A350-1000. A decision on aircraft selection is expected in the first or second quarters of 2025.
Douglas was tight lipped about the size of the proposed new widebody order, although the carrier had initial plans to operate over 200 aircraft. The airline is on a timeline that will see operations commence in the latter half of 2025.
Riyadh Air Fleet Acquisition to Date
Riyadh Air initially opened its account in 2023 with a widebody order of 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with an option for 33 more.
Last week the carrier announced a firm order for narrowbody aircraft to supplement the dual-aisle aircraft. It placed an order for 60 Airbus A321neo family aircraft. The agreement was signed at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh on October 30.
The current commercial aviation environment is characterized by extended delivery times and protracted delays. Despite this, the new airline appears to have secured deliveries with favorable lead times. Speaking on last week’s A321neo bulk order, Airbus did not disclose details of proposed delivery schedules.
According to CEO Tony Douglas, the A321neo would be deployed to open up new routes. It would also operate sectors where demand made the larger 290 seat Boeing 787 economically unviable.
It was not confirmed whether the Airbus purchase will include the long range or extended long range variants.
Second National Flag Carrier
Riyadh Air is set to become the second flag carrier of the country, with its main hub at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The airline plans to operate domestic and international flights to over 100 destinations across the Middle East and six continents.
Riyadh Air was founded in 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
With its ambitious plans and strong backing, Riyadh Air is now poised to become a major regional presence.
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