Riyadh Air Expands Boeing Fleet with 28 Additional Dreamliners

The agreement, announced in Farnborough, brings the airline’s total firm order count to 67 aircraft. By incorporating the 787-10, the carrier gains an extra 50 seats per flight compared to its current 787-9 fleet, while cutting fuel consumption and emissions by 25%. CEO Tony Douglas noted that the expansion is critical for managing rising passenger and cargo demand as the airline scales its network.

Operating both the 787-9 and 787-10 provides the airline with significant fleet commonality, simplifying maintenance, pilot training, and flight deck operations. This logistical efficiency is central to Riyadh Air’s mandate as a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, which aims to contribute over $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and create 200,000 jobs by 2030. Currently, the airline serves six cities with its initial delivery of six 787-9 jets, with plans to accelerate growth as the new widebody orders arrive.