Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA Image : Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air, a new international high-end airline, announced on 31 October 2024 at the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference that it has signed an agreement to purchase 60 Airbus A321neo single-aisle aircraft. This is the company’s latest step towards its first flight in 2025. . The agreement was officially signed in Riyadh by Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas and Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer.
The Airbus A321neo aircraft is known in the industry for its efficiency and sustainability, and combined with the wide-body aircraft orders announced in 2023, it will ensure that Riyadh Air's fleet can meet the needs of the rapidly expanding network. In an unprecedented scale among aviation startups, Riyadh Air has ordered a total of 132 aircraft to meet its growth targets.
His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, President of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of Riyadh Airways, said: “We are delighted that Riyadh Air has reached another important milestone and secured its second large fleet order, this time. Signed with Airbus. This order marks our ambition to build a comprehensive international network and establish Riyadh as a strategic hub for global aviation before our first flight next year.”
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “This order will not only help the economic development of the aviation industry, but also ensure that Riyadh Air operates the most sustainable fleet in the industry and promote Saudi Arabia’s goal of net zero emissions. This order further demonstrates the "positive economic impact of Saudi Arabia’s emerging airlines both globally and locally, supporting the rapidly growing local aviation ecosystem to achieve international passenger traffic growth."
Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said: “We are honoured to welcome Riyadh Air to the Airbus customer family and be part of its exciting journey. The latest generation A321neo aircraft will bring excellence to Riyadh Air’s operations. efficiency and provide passengers with an excellent flying experience. We look forward to working with Riyadh Air to jointly promote the brilliant growth of Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry.”
Aspiring to become a leading global airline, Riyadh Air will equip its fleet with state-of-the-art digital capabilities to deliver a best-in-class innovative passenger experience, including thoughtfully designed cabin interiors and next-generation entertainment and connectivity systems.
The establishment of Riyadh Air is in line with PIF’s strategy to help diversify the economy by supporting local high-potential industries. The airline will facilitate global travelers by taking them to the Kingdom’s cultural and natural attractions and further cement Riyadh’s position as a global business hub. At the same time, Riyadh Air will also serve as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s national transportation and logistics strategy and national tourism strategy, expanding air transportation options, improving cargo capacity, and promoting the growth of international passenger flows.
