Riyadh Air, the new international airline, announced at the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference an agreement to purchase 60 Airbus A321neo single-aisle aircraft, marking another step toward its inaugural flight in 2025. The deal was confirmed in Riyadh by Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.
With this order, Riyadh Air’s fleet will total 132 aircraft, comprising 72 Boeing 787-9 wide-body planes and 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft. Notably, Riyadh Air’s initial order in 2023 for wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners surprised industry experts, who expected the airline to begin with narrow-body aircraft. At recent air shows, rumors circulated about an order for narrow-body jets, with many speculating a choice of Boeing’s 737 MAX for faster delivery, as Airbus’s production capacity is booked for the coming years. However, ongoing challenges with Boeing’s delivery schedules and certification of the 737-10 may have influenced Riyadh Air’s decision to opt for Airbus’s A321neo.
The question now is when the first A321neo aircraft will join the fleet—whether Riyadh Air has secured early deliveries for next year or will face a longer wait. Since the airline aims to begin operations in 2025, delays in securing aircraft could impact its timeline. Another key factor will be how many Dreamliners Boeing can deliver before Riyadh Air’s first flights. It is hoped that Riyadh Air has effectively navigated these challenges to avoid delays that could disrupt its launch plans.
In the official announcement, both Airbus and Riyadh Air highlighted the A321neo series order, suggesting that the fleet may include not only the “standard” A321neo but also the A321LR (Long Range) variant. Riyadh Air’s website lists specifications for the A321neo, noting a range of 7,400 kilometers and a maximum takeoff weight of 97 tons—figures that align with the A321LR’s capabilities. This aircraft will enable Riyadh Air to reach any destination in Africa, Europe, and most of Asia. They have not ordered the A321XLR, as its extended range would still fall short of reaching North or South America and Australia, which the A321LR cannot access. For those longer-haul destinations, Riyadh Air will rely on its Dreamliners.
