Riyadh Air Debuts Indigo Livery on First Boeing 787-9
Riyadh Air has unveiled its first production Boeing 787-9 aircraft adorned in the carrier’s striking indigo and lavender livery. The aircraft, registered as HZ-RXAK, emerged from Boeing’s paint facility in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 4, 2026, showcasing a design inspired by spring desert blooms and Arabic calligraphy. The airline described the jet as its "Nile Blue Boeing 787 Dreamliner," emphasizing that the indigo scheme will complement rather than replace its existing pearlescent white livery.
The indigo livery, created by design consultancy PriestmanGoode, features a refined color palette and sweeping curves referencing Arabic script. Riyadh Air plans to apply the scheme to one in every ten aircraft in its fleet, using it to mark fleet growth milestones. The design firm was tasked with developing two elegant and bold livery concepts to position Riyadh Air as a leader among next-generation carriers.
Although HZ-RXAK is the first production aircraft to wear the indigo livery, it is not the first Boeing 787 to do so. A promotional Boeing 787, registered N8572C, previously displayed the scheme at aviation events before being delivered to TAAG Angola Airlines in 2025. Riyadh Air’s CEO, Tony Douglas, celebrated the milestone, noting that the airline has grown to 10 aircraft and 15 destinations in less than four months.
Riyadh Air began scheduled operations on June 10, 2026, and now serves destinations including London Heathrow, Dubai, Jeddah, Cairo, and more. The carrier aims to expand to 22 destinations by March 2027 and over 100 by 2030. The delivery of HZ-RXAK is the next key development to watch, as the aircraft is set to enter service and become a visible part of Riyadh Air’s growing network.