Riyadh Air has taken delivery of its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners, marking a significant milestone as the Saudi Arabian carrier moves closer to launching commercial operations.
The arrival of the airline’s first custom-built aircraft represents a major step in the development of both Riyadh Air and Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation ambitions.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, described the delivery as a landmark moment for the airline and the Kingdom.
“To see our very first custom-built 787 Dreamliner aircraft touch down in Riyadh is a historic moment for us, and a momentous day for Saudi aviation,” he said. “Not only are we building an airline, we are opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom. We are absolutely ready and excited to welcome the world to Riyadh.”
The deliveries support Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors and handle 330 million passengers annually by 2030. Riyadh Air is expected to play a central role in achieving those objectives by expanding the Kingdom’s global connectivity.
The airline plans to operate up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will form the backbone of its regional and long-haul network. The fleet will connect Saudi Arabia with key markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
Riyadh Air intends to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, with its initial Boeing 787 operations set to include routes to London, Cairo and Jeddah. The aircraft will help establish Riyadh as a major international aviation hub while supporting the Kingdom’s wider economic diversification goals.
