Riyadh, June 2 - Saudi Arabia’s newest carrier, Riyadh Air, is poised to place a substantial order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft at the Paris Air Show in June 2025, marking a pivotal step in its ambitious expansion strategy. The announcement, anticipated to be a highlight of the biennial event held at Le Bourget, underscores Riyadh Air’s commitment to establishing itself as a major global player in the aviation sector. The order, focusing on the A350-1000 variant, will bolster the airline’s long-haul capabilities, aligning with its goal to connect Riyadh to over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. This development also reflects the broader economic diversification objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to position the kingdom as a strategic aviation hub.
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Riyadh Air, launched in 2022 as a wholly owned entity of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is preparing to commence operations in the summer of 2025. The airline has already made strategic fleet decisions, securing 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with options for 33 more in 2023 and ordering 60 Airbus A321neo family aircraft in October 2024. The addition of the A350s will complement its existing fleet, enabling the carrier to serve high-demand, long-haul international routes with a focus on premium passenger experience and operational efficiency. The A350-1000, known for its advanced fuel efficiency, extended range of up to 8,700 nautical miles, and capacity to seat 350–410 passengers in a typical configuration, is well-suited to Riyadh Air’s plans for transcontinental flights to destinations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The decision to opt for the A350 over Boeing’s 777X, which has faced delays in certification and delivery timelines, highlights Riyadh Air’s prioritization of reliability and availability. The A350’s proven track record, with over 967 firm orders and 535 aircraft in service globally by mid-2023, offers the airline a dependable platform to scale operations swiftly. Additionally, the A350’s commonality with the A321neo family, already on order, will streamline crew training and maintenance, driving cost efficiencies, a critical factor for a startup carrier aiming to compete with established Gulf giants like Emirates and Qatar Airways.
Airbus’s aggressive push to secure this order comes amid intensified competition with Boeing, which has seen a resurgence in wide-body orders but continues to grapple with production challenges. The Paris Air Show, a key stage for aerospace manufacturers to showcase innovations, will provide Airbus with an opportunity to highlight the A350’s cutting-edge technology, including its 50% composite airframe and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, which deliver a 25% reduction in fuel burn compared to older-generation aircraft. For Riyadh Air, this order represents not only a fleet expansion but also a commitment to sustainability, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s decarbonization goals. The anticipated deal, expected to be formalized during the trade show’s professional days from June 16 to 19, 2025, will likely include a mix of firm orders and options, providing Riyadh Air flexibility as it ramps up operations. With a fleet target of over 200 aircraft, the airline is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the growing Middle Eastern aviation market, leveraging Riyadh’s strategic location and the kingdom’s increasing appeal as a tourism and business destination. This order will further solidify Airbus’s foothold in the region, where demand for wide-body aircraft continues to rise, driven by long-haul travel and premium connectivity needs.