Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air, in an expected transaction, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 A350-1000 aircraft, with options for 50 additional aircraft. The agreement was signed this morning at the Paris Air Show, with the ceremony attended by H.E Yasir Al-Rumayyan, The Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Commercial Aircraft Sales.
Riyadh Air will become the first airline in Saudi Arabia to operate the A350-1000. It also supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to reach 300 million air passengers annually by the end of the decade, positioning the country as a global aviation and tourism hub.
“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.”
“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 unrivaled 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”, said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
Riyadh Air, a new airline, is owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. The carrier received its operating certificate on April 6, 2025, and will begin operations with a regional network this year. The carrier has orders for 60 A320neo family aircraft, as well as 39 firm and 33 options for Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
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