The first deliveries of the widebody aircraft are scheduled for early 2025
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new airline backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced a multi-billion dollar deal, placing an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The order includes 39 confirmed aircraft and an option to acquire 33 additional wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners. This move is aimed at establishing the kingdom as a global aviation hub.
In total, Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers have declared their intention to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners, marking the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF and chairman of Riyadh Air, stated that the partnership with Boeing in building the fleet is the next step in realizing Saudi Arabia's ambition to be a global transportation hub.
Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said that the significant order will support Riyadh Air’s commitment to delivering a world-class travel experience while supporting American aerospace manufacturing jobs at Boeing and across its supply chain.
Riyadh Air plans to equip its airplanes with advanced features, such as innovative cabin interiors and experiences, next-generation digital in-flight entertainment systems, and connectivity solutions. The first deliveries of the widebody aircraft are scheduled for early 2025.
The airline aims to be a digitally led, full-service airline with a commitment to sustainability, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s transformative projects under Vision 2030. The 787-9 Boeing Dreamliner model is manufactured with environmental impact considerations in mind, such as CO2 emissions, fuel efficiency, and noise regulations.
Launched earlier this week, Riyadh Air aims to support the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s economy in line with PIF’s mandate. The airline will also support the Saudi Aviation Strategy’s broader vision, enabling the National Tourism Strategy, and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions to international tourists while creating new jobs.
The Boeing-Riyadh Air agreement is expected to support the kingdom’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visits by 2030. Economically, the deal is expected to support nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the US and more than 300 suppliers across 38 states, including 145 US small businesses. In Saudi Arabia, the new airline is expected to add $20bn to non-oil GDP growth and create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The order also highlights Riyadh Air's environmental goals, as it aims to operate one of the newest and most sustainable airline fleets globally, while intending to meet noise regulations. Operating from the Saudi capital, Riyadh Air aims to connect millions of leisure and business travelers to more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030 following this partnership with Boeing.
