Riyadh Air orders 34 Boeing and Airbus widebody jets in expansion push

• Riyadh Air currently operates 6 Boeing 787-9 aircraft serving 6 cities, having launched several new routes since June 2025
• The airline exercised options for 28 Boeing 787s from a 2023 order and confirmed 6 Airbus A350-1000 purchases, totaling 31 confirmed A350 orders
• The expansion aims to establish Riyadh as a major aviation hub competing with larger Middle Eastern rivals, supporting Saudi Arabia's economic diversification beyond oil under Vision 2030

Summary: Riyadh Air Orders 34 Boeing and Airbus Widebody Jets

Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air announced orders for 34 widebody aircraft from Boeing and Airbus at the Farnborough Airshow on July 20, 2025, as part of its aggressive expansion strategy.

Key Orders:

• Boeing: The airline exercised options from a 2023 order and converted 20 of those options into the larger 787-10 variant
• Airbus: Confirmed purchase of 6 A350-1000 aircraft, bringing total confirmed A350-1000 orders to 31 aircraft

Operational Status:

Riyadh Air has taken delivery of six 787-9 aircraft and currently serves six cities. The carrier launched several new routes since June 2025, marking its initial operational phase.

Strategic Context:

The airline is backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and plays a central role in the kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. Riyadh Air aims to establish the Saudi capital as a major aviation hub, competing with established Middle Eastern rivals like Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Target Goals:

The carrier has set an ambitious target to connect Riyadh to more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030, supporting Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to reduce oil dependence and boost tourism and connectivity.

Market Implications:

These orders represent the first major aircraft announcements at the 2025 Farnborough Airshow and signal intensifying competition in the Middle East aviation market. The expansion underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing its aviation sector as a key economic pillar beyond petroleum revenues.