Riyadh Air has announced an order of 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft at Paris Air Show, ahead of the planned launch of scheduled flight towards the end of this year.
The Saudi Arabian carrier says the addition of the widebody aircraft to its fleet, which have a range of up to 16,000 km, will facilitate routes to ultra long-haul destinations – helping it to achieve its goal of serving over 100 destinations by 2030.
Riyadh Air also has purchase rights for a further 25 Airbus A350-1000s, as well as A321neos and Boeing Dreamliners on order.
The airline says flights will commence later this year, following the unveiling of its cabin interiors earlier this year. Riyadh Air has also released a sonic branding, and partnered with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to install an IFE solution on its Boeing Dreamliners ahead of the launch.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said:
“Riyadh Air is making significant progress as we move towards our first flight later this year and agreeing this deal for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is an important statement of intent.”
The airline says its operations will support tourism in Saudi Arabia, and particularly the country’s goal to reach 300 million air passengers annually by 2030.
Christian Scherer, CEO commercial aircraft at Airbus, added:
“We are honoured to support Riyadh Air’s bold vision with the A350-1000, the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and decarbonisation whilst connecting the vibrant Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the world!”
In the coming years, the capital city is set to host global events such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
As for sustainability, the A350-1000s will be capable of operating with up to 50% SAF, though Riyadh Air has not yet commented on whether it plans to use the sustainable aviation fuel.
