Riyadh Air’s Ambitious Growth and Fleet Expansion Plans
Riyadh Air, the burgeoning Saudi startup airline, has recently re-entered negotiations with leading aircraft manufacturers to acquire additional widebody aircraft. This strategic move aligns with the airline’s ambitious goal of expanding its fleet to over 200 aircraft in the upcoming years. The decision to augment their fleet follows closely on the heels of their recent acquisition of 60 Airbus A321neo single-aisle aircraft, a deal inked at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) 8th Edition Conference in Saudi Arabia on October 30, 2024.
The agreement, facilitated between Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, marks a significant milestone in the airline’s short but dynamic history. Speaking with Reuters, Douglas highlighted that Riyadh Air, which is poised to receive its Air Operators Certificate in early 2025, is currently evaluating the Boeing 777X and the Airbus A350-1000 models. A decision on this is expected to be finalized in either the first or second quarter of 2025, with negotiations set to commence within the next two months.
In March 2023, Riyadh Air made its initial foray into the widebody aircraft market by placing an order for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options for an additional 33, in a deal that also involved Saudia, Riyadh Air’s sister airline. Although specifics regarding the size of the upcoming order in 2025 remain undisclosed, Douglas reaffirmed the airline’s long-term objective to operate a vast and varied fleet exceeding 200 aircraft.
Riyadh Air has not yet commenced commercial operations but has already established a significant presence in the aviation industry. This early influence stems partly from its association with Saudia and partly from its critical role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ project, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism hub by attracting millions of visitors annually.
The recent deal for the A321neos is particularly noteworthy. Despite the generally long lead times associated with new aircraft purchases, Riyadh Air has managed to secure delivery slots for these aircraft between the second half of 2026 and the end of 2030. This expedited timeline was made possible by leveraging market strengths and negotiating with Airbus to secure earlier delivery slots that had originally been allocated to Capital A and its low-cost arm, Air Asia, which has been restructuring its order book.
Douglas also hinted at further expansions, noting that both the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777X would integrate seamlessly into Riyadh Air’s growing fleet. The A350-1000 offers significant operational commonalities with the A321neos, which could lead to cost savings in crew training and other operational areas. Conversely, opting for the Boeing 777X would continue Riyadh Air’s existing relationship with Boeing, following their initial order of 787s.
As Riyadh Air continues to sculpt its fleet composition, the aviation industry watches keenly. Will the airline lean towards Airbus for its operational efficiencies or continue its Boeing lineage for widebody aircraft? The answer will significantly shape the airline’s operational dynamics and its role within Saudi Arabia’s broader economic aspirations.