Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air placed orders for 34 widebody aircraft with both Boeing and Airbus on July 20, the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, as the Kingdom-based startup carrier accelerates its plans to reach more than 100 destinations by 2030, coinciding with the “Vision 2030.” The airline said it would exercise options for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners from an order placed in 2023 and convert 20 of those options into the larger 787-10 variant.
The airline has already taken delivery of six Boeing 787-9 aircraft and currently operates flights to six destinations.
Under the latest agreement, 20 of the aircraft will be converted to the higher-capacity Boeing 787-10 variant. The aircraft, which will be introduced into the Riyadh Air service for the first time, offers additional seating capacity while maintaining common flight deck systems, maintenance procedures, and pilot training with the 787-9, allowing the airline to operate both variants within a common fleet.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said, “The commitment to firm up an additional 28 787 Dreamliners and introduce the 787-10 marks another significant milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey towards over 100 international destinations by 2030, a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.”
“Following the recent launch of full operations, guests have been hugely impressed with the Riyadh Air experience onboard our current fleet of six Boeing 787 jets. The addition of the 787-10 strengthens our ability to accommodate growing passenger and cargo demand while providing the operational flexibility required to support our ambitious network plans,” he added further.
The Boeing 787-10, as the largest member of the Dreamliner family, provides around 50 more seats than the 787-9. The next-generation aircraft also reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by approximately 25% compared with the older variant of the widebody jet.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said, “We are delighted to see Riyadh Air flying their new 787 airplanes in commercial service, and we are deeply honored they are placing orders for additional 787 Dreamliner aircraft to support their future. The 787-10 will be a great complement to Riyadh Air’s growing fleet and advance the airline’s mission to be a world-class airline that delivers an exceptional passenger experience. The 787-10 will be a great complement to Riyadh Air’s growing fleet and advance the airline’s mission to deliver a consistent passenger experience across its expanding network.”
Separately, the carrier confirmed the purchase of six Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, firming up previously held purchase rights and bringing its total confirmed A350-1000 orders to 31 aircraft.
“The agreement forms part of the airline’s original commitment for up to 50 A350-1000s announced in 2025. Riyadh Air will become the first airline in Saudi Arabia to operate the A350-1000 and will use the aircraft to support its international growth ambitions and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives,” Airbus said.
“The firm-up of these additional aircraft reflects Riyadh Air’s continued confidence in its growth trajectory and in the future of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. Increasing our A350-1000 commitment to 31 aircraft strengthens the foundation of our future network and supports our ambition to serve more than 100 global destinations by 2030 while delivering a premium guest experience,” said Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air.
“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Riyadh Air as it continues to build a pioneering carrier for the Kingdom. This additional A350-1000 commitment reflects the airline’s confidence in the aircraft’s exceptional efficiency, range and passenger appeal. As Riyadh Air advances its ambitious growth plans, the A350-1000 will play an important role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives and helping position the Kingdom as a leading international aviation hub,” remarked Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
Talking about the A350, it is the world’s most modern widebody aircraft, designed to fly up to 9,700 nautical miles/18,000 kilometers non-stop, setting new standards for intercontinental travel.
The aircraft includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics, delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. The use of the latest-generation Rolls-Royce engines and lightweight materials brings a 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.
As per the “Vision 2030” targets, Riyadh Air wants to transform the Saudi capital as a major aviation hub while competing with larger Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, and Air Arabia. The aviation startup, since June 2026, has ramped up its operations by launching several new routes.
While the carrier aims to connect the Saudi capital to more than 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade, it also wants to contribute more than USD 20 billion (SAR 75 billion) to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP, apart from supporting the creation of more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.