Riyadh Air To Order 777X Or A350

Riyadh Air, an upcoming Saudi Arabian-based carrier, looks set to finalise a major deal for new widebody aircraft as soon as early 2025.

The new purchase comes just a matter of weeks after it also finalised a contract to acquire over 50 Airbus A321neos to foster future fleet growth and complement an existing commitment to the 787 Dreamliner, which will drive its launch in 2025.

However, now, the airline is seeking another major widebody order, consisting of dozens of new planes, which would give the manufacturer that wins the contract a major boost.

According to comments from the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Douglas, an ex-Etihad Airways leader, the options on the table are the Boeing 777X and the high-capacity alternative, the Airbus A350-1000.

These two aircraft types each have pros and cons. However, only one aircraft type remains certified at this point and thus is fit to fly with customers. While deals will play a big role, availability will, too, as will delivery slots for Riyadh Air and its planned future growth.

Despite having never operated a commercial flight, the company has been ambitious, making it very clear it wants to fly hundreds of aircraft and cover all corners of the globe.

These ambitions mean the airline now eyeing up dozens of new widebody aircraft before it has even carried a passenger shouldn’t come as a shock. The carrier wants to foster greater connectivity throughout the Kingdom and bring more people to the region for tourism-related reasons.

This will arguably be a big one for whichever manufacturer wins the order; however, if the 777X is secured at Boeing, it would be a major commitment and boost to the backlog for the aircraft that has already enjoyed great success in the Middle East.

Ultimately, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways, the big three in this part of the world, have all committed to the 777X for future fleet growth and renewal efforts.

Reuters has led reporting on this prospective aircraft order following test flights several months ago, commencing on the pathway to operations and officially commencing sometime in 2025.