Riyadh Air has taken an important step toward the launch of commercial operations after its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft arrived in Riyadh. These are the first aircraft delivered to the new Saudi airline, which is preparing to start scheduled services.
The arrival of the first Dreamliners in Riyadh marks one of the key moments in the development of Riyadh Air, an airline expected to play an important role in expanding Saudi Arabia’s air transport sector and strengthening the Kingdom’s connectivity with the world.
“The arrival of our first custom-built 787 Dreamliner aircraft in Riyadh is a historic moment for us and an important day for Saudi aviation,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. He added that the company is not only building a new airline, but also “a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom.”
Riyadh Air’s long-term fleet plan includes up to 72 Boeing 787 aircraft, which are expected to form the backbone of its regional and long-haul network. The airline plans to connect more than 100 destinations by 2030, with London, Cairo and Jeddah expected to be among the first cities served by the 787.
The Riyadh Air program is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation and tourism strategy, under which the Kingdom aims to attract 150 million visitors and handle 330 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. The new airline is expected to play a significant role in connecting Saudi Arabia with Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
Boeing says the Dreamliner will provide Riyadh Air with high efficiency, network planning flexibility and a passenger experience tailored to long-haul operations. Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said Riyadh Air is “bringing to life a vision of modern world-class travel,” adding that Boeing is supporting the opening of new opportunities for the Kingdom and the global market with these aircraft.
Even before the arrival of its first own Dreamliners, Riyadh Air had already been operating limited flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow, using a leased Boeing 787 during a controlled introductory phase ahead of wider ticket sales and the launch of regular commercial services with its own aircraft.
The arrival of the first aircraft in the fleet now allows Riyadh Air to continue its operational preparations, including crew training, system checks, commercial network preparation and the final steps before the start of passenger services.
