Riyadh Air Commits to Purchase 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Adds 787-10 to Future Fleet

Riyadh Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to exercise options for 28 additional 787 Dreamliner jets as part of its growth strategy. The agreement includes the conversion of 20 of these jets to the larger 787-10 variant, which is aimed at bolstering the airline’s operational capabilities.

The announcement reveals a previously unreported purchase of 11 ultra-efficient widebody jets. Once finalized, this will increase Riyadh Air's firm order count to 67 787 Dreamliners.

CEO Tony Douglas highlighted that the commitment to the additional 28 jets marks a significant milestone in Riyadh Air's plans to operate over 100 international destinations by 2030, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. The airline recently launched full operations and has received positive feedback on the onboard experience of its current fleet of six Boeing 787 jets.

The integration of both the 787-9 and 787-10 models will allow Riyadh Air to maintain fleet commonality, which includes shared flight deck systems and maintenance procedures, enhancing operational efficiencies. The 787 Dreamliner family is noted for its passenger comfort features, such as larger windows and improved cabin conditions.

According to Boeing's Stephanie Pope, the addition of the 787-10 will enhance Riyadh Air's growing fleet and support its goal of providing an exceptional passenger experience. The 787-10 is designed to improve capacity while reducing fuel consumption and emissions compared to older models.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air aims to support Saudi Arabia's economic diversification strategy, with expectations to create over 200,000 jobs and contribute over $20 billion (SAR 75 billion) to non-oil GDP growth by 2030.