Riyadh Air’s “active campaign” for Widebody aircraft

Riyadh Air, the new start-up national carrier of Saudi Arabia, is in an “active campaign” with Airbus and Boeing to select a variety of Widebody aircraft for its fleet, Tony Douglas, the airline's Chief Executive Officer, said in the Indian capital on Wednesday (HRH Crown Prince Announces “Riyadh Air” – New National Carrier to Further Expand Saudi Aviation Ecosystem Locally and Globally) “(We want to conclude) as soon as possible. We are in a hurry,” Douglas said at a media roundtable to which AirInsight was invited, adding that there were “high chances that the airline will only have one variety of XWB.” The airline is evaluating the Boeing 777-9x and Airbus A350-1000 for its aircraft option. The airline already has 132 aircraft on order. The airline, which takes to the skies later this year, is to have a fleet of up to 72 aircraft, which will include the Boeing 787 aircraft initially, and it will get 60 Airbus A 321 Xtra Long Range and Airbus A 321 New Engine Option (NEO) starting towards the end of 2026. Douglas said that the airline required at least three aircraft to begin operations. (Riyadh Air| Our Story) Initially, the network will mix short-haul and long-haul operations, as the Boeing 787 can do both long-haul and short-haul routes. Continents to be connected in the first wave While declining to name specific cities that the airline will fly to just yet, Douglas said that in the first wave until 2030, the airline is planning to connect all capitals of Europe and secondary cities, the GCC, the Far East, where Riyadh is completely underserved right now, and other regions. He added that by 2030, Riyadh Air should operate to 100 global destinations, including most European capitals and secondary cities, the GCC, Africa, India, the subcontinent, SE Asia, the Far East, and the Americas. To talk with Indian airlines Emphasizing that the Indian market was significant, the airline’s CEO said the start-up airline would talk with Air India and IndiGo about possible partnerships. “We are exploring. It is at an early stage right now (talks with the Indian carriers),” he said. Around 1.5 million Indian tourists visited Saudi Arabia last year, a 50 percent jump from the previous year. (Saudi tourism sees 50% surge in Indian visitors as promotion intensifies | Arab News) Douglas said Riyadh Air was not constrained by the air services exchanged between India and Saudi Arabia. The number of seats exchanged under the bilateral air services has not been exhausted. During the visit, the delegation will meet the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for requisite permissions and support to launch India operations.

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