Riyadh Air is studying the purchase of between 25 and 30 additional Boeing (BA) 787 Dreamliners, exercising the bulk of its contractual options with the US planemaker, and may also expand its Airbus (AIR) order book, Reuters reported on July 13, citing industry sources.
The move would mark one of the fastest option-conversion timelines for a new carrier, coming barely a month after Riyadh Air’s first commercial revenue flight, as the PIF-backed airline races to secure widebody capacity ahead of its stated ambition to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.
An announcement converting the bulk of Riyadh Air’s Boeing options into firm orders could come as early as next week’s Farnborough Airshow, though sources cautioned that details are still being discussed. Riyadh Air and Boeing both declined to comment.
The carrier ordered up to 72 Boeing Dreamliners in 2023, comprising 39 firm orders and options for a further 33. It also holds orders for 25 Airbus A350-1000 long-haul jets, with options for another 25, some of which industry sources said may also be converted into firm purchases. Airbus declined to comment.
Riyadh Air, wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, was established in 2023 as the kingdom’s second national carrier alongside Saudia.