Riyadh Air expands fleet with new narrowbody and widebody aircraft orders

Riyadh Air, the emerging Saudi airline based in Riyadh, has strategically confirmed an order for a series of narrowbody planes, reserving several delivery slots, according to CEO Tony Douglas at the Arabian Travel Market event. This meticulous planning is a testament to our commitment to growth and efficiency. Details of this order will be disclosed in the upcoming months. “We have secured our narrowbody aircraft and are now focusing on subsequent orders, with our third set to include widebody aircraft to accommodate the expansive network we intend to build,” Douglas remarked.

The airline is setting its sights high, anticipating placing its second order for widebody planes by 2025. During the same event, Vincent Coste, the Chief Commercial Officer, revealed thrilling plans for Riyadh Air to commence ticket sales by January 2025 and to begin operations in June of that year. The airline is not just aiming to establish a route network, but a robust one that includes ten primarily international destinations by the end of 2025, with plans to expand by adding approximately two new destinations each month through 2030.

In 2023, Riyadh Air purchased thirty-nine B787-9 aircraft and secured options for an additional 33 planes. The company’s strategy focuses on maintaining a streamlined fleet of just two aircraft types to minimize operating costs.

Douglas emphasized the importance of reliable delivery schedules from Airbus and Boeing, as the airline has no fallback options and is under significant pressure to scale up quickly. Riyadh Air, fully funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, aims to have a fleet of 200 aircraft within its first five years and plans to serve over 100 cities. This rapid expansion is critical for establishing Riyadh as a central hub in the region.

References

• ” Riyadh Air places narrowbody orders, eyes more widebodies“, Ch-Aviation News. Read more