Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly launched premium international airline, has confirmed a firm order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with an option to expand the agreement to 50 in total. The signing ceremony took place at the Paris Air Show and was attended by H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, and Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.
This milestone marks the airline as the first Saudi carrier to operate the A350-1000 aircraft. The move aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global hub for tourism and aviation, targeting 300 million air passengers annually by the end of the decade.
“This order marks a significant step forward in building a world-class airline that reflects the ambitions of Vision 2030. 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,” said Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air. “It’s a clear signal of our intent to shape the future of air travel and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s fast-growing aviation ecosystem.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of 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.”
With this order, the airline reinforces its commitment to delivering a next-generation travel experience while advancing the Kingdom’s wider economic and environmental goals.
