Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new premium international airline, has signed a firm order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with an option to double the number to 50. The signing ceremony took place at the Paris Air Show and was attended by high-level representatives including H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia; Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus; and Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
This deal marks a significant milestone for Riyadh Air, which will become the first Saudi carrier to operate the A350-1000, Airbus’ flagship long-haul aircraft. The move supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal of handling 300 million air passengers annually by the end of the decade, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global aviation and tourism hub.
“This order marks a significant step forward in building a world-class airline that reflects the ambitions of Vision 2030,” said Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air. “The A350-1000 will bring outstanding efficiency and comfort to our fleet, supporting our sustainability goals and enabling Riyadh Air to offer a premium experience while connecting Saudi Arabia to the world.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft, added: “We are proud to extend our strategic partnership with Riyadh Air as it continues to build a pioneering carrier for the Kingdom. As the long-range leader, the A350-1000 will provide unrivalled efficiency, range and passenger comfort, making it the ideal choice to support the airline’s ambitious growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to enhance global connectivity and economic diversification.”