Riyadh Air Orders 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Six A350-1000s
Riyadh Air, a Saudi carrier that flew its first paying passenger just three weeks ago, has made a significant move by committing to order more widebody aircraft. The airline has opted for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with 20 of those being upgraded from the 787-9 model to the larger 787-10 variant. This decision indicates enormous confidence or pressure on the part of Riyadh Air, which aims to serve over 100 destinations by 2030.
The switch to the 787-10 model, which offers around 50 more seats per aircraft, suggests that Riyadh Air is looking to cater to high-demand routes. The airline has already taken delivery of six 787-9s, which are currently serving six cities. With this new order, Riyadh Air's commitment to Boeing's Dreamliner family will reach 67 once the remaining 17 aircraft in its original deal are finalized.
On the Airbus side, Riyadh Air has firmed up an additional six A350-1000s, bringing its total commitment to 31 of the type. This decision is seen as a strategic move by the airline to keep both manufacturers competing for its business. The A350 family had stood at 1,595 firm orders from 68 customers at the end of June.