Riyadh Air has bolstered its widebody fleet strategy by securing orders for 34 additional Boeing and Airbus aircraft, underscoring the state-backed carrier’s push for international expansion.

The expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to reduce oil dependence and transform the kingdom into a global aviation hub.

The Public Investment Fund-owned airline exercised options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, increasing its firm order for the type to 67 aircraft.

The deal, unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow, comprises the conversion of 20 planes to the larger 787-10 variant and a previously unreported purchase of 11 Dreamliners, a statement said.

Separately, Riyadh Air confirmed an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, increasing its total firm commitment for the type to 31 aircraft. The agreement forms part of the airline’s original commitment for up to 50 A350-1000s announced in 2025. 

The orders align with the Kingdom’s National Aviation Strategy, which aims to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million, increase air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons, and expand connectivity to more than 250 destinations by 2030. The strategy is designed to position the Kingdom as a global aviation hub linking Asia, Europe and Africa. 

Commenting on the Boeing announcement, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas 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 toward over 100 international destinations by 2030, a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.” 

He added: “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.” 

Airbus expansion 

Riyadh Air now has firm Airbus orders for 91 aircraft, comprising 60 A321neos and 31 A350-1000s, while retaining purchase rights for another 19 A350 aircraft to support future expansion. 

Riyadh Air will be the first Saudi carrier to fly the A350-1000, using the jet to drive its international route growth.

The expansion supports Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy, with Riyadh Air aiming to contribute more than SR75 billion ($20 billion) to the Kingdom’s non-oil gross domestic product and create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030 as it expands its international network.  

The Boeing and Airbus orders position Riyadh Air to compete with regional giants like Emirates and Qatar Airways, which already operate large widebody fleets. The carrier's growth is a cornerstone of the kingdom's goal to diversify its economy beyond oil, with projected contributions of over $20 billion to non-oil GDP by 2030. Success will depend on executing its ambitious network plans and securing traffic rights to key markets across Asia, Europe, and Africa.