Riyadh Air firms Boeing options in 34-jet expansion push
Riyadh Air has ordered 34 widebody jets from Boeing and Airbus on Monday, exercising options for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners—including a shift of 20 to the larger 787-10—and confirming six Airbus A350-1000s as it races to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030. The Farnborough Airshow deals mark the carrier’s latest expansion move after launching commercial flights in June.
Key Takeaways
- Riyadh Air locked in 34 widebodies: 28 Boeing 787s and six Airbus A350-1000s.
- Twenty of the Boeing options will become the larger 787-10 variant.
- Confirmed A350-1000 orders now total 31 aircraft.
- The airline already flies six 787-9s on a six-city network and aims for 100-plus destinations by 2030.
- Backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the push supports Vision 2030 hub ambitions.
What exactly did Riyadh Air order from Boeing?
According to Reuters, the airline will exercise options for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners from a 2023 order. Of those, 20 will convert to the stretched 787-10, while the remainder stay in the Dreamliner family mix already supporting early operations.
The Boeing commitment is the bulk of Monday’s 34-jet package and underscores how quickly the startup is firming previously negotiated purchase rights rather than starting from scratch.
Why does the dual Boeing-Airbus deal matter now?
The orders were the first announced at this year’s Farnborough Airshow and arrive as Riyadh Air ramps up after adding several new routes since June. The carrier wants Riyadh to compete with larger Middle Eastern hubs on long-haul connectivity.
Separately, it firmed six Airbus A350-1000s from earlier purchase rights, lifting total confirmed A350-1000 orders to 31. Splitting growth between Boeing and Airbus gives Riyadh Air capacity flexibility as it scales a premium international network.
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How far has Riyadh Air come toward its 2030 goal?
The airline has taken delivery of six 787-9 aircraft and currently serves six cities. Its stated aim is to connect the Saudi capital to more than 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, Riyadh Air is central to Vision 2030 plans to diversify beyond oil and boost tourism and connectivity. CNBC separately featured CEO Tony Douglas discussing launch progress, market conditions, and growth partnerships as the carrier positions for a wider global footprint.
Monday’s Boeing-heavy widebody lock-in is an early signal that the airline intends to match network ambition with hard aircraft commitments, not just marketing targets.