National carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air and Aircraft manufacturer, Boeing have announced that “the airline is exercising options for 28 more 787 Dreamliner jets as part of its growth plan. The agreement to exercise most of the options from Riyadh Air’s 2023 order also includes the conversion of 20 airplanes to the larger 787-10 variant.”
The aircraft manufacturer says, “the announcement includes a previously unidentified purchase of 11 of the ultra-efficient widebody jets. Once the remaining 17 airplanes are finalized, Riyadh Air’s firm order count will grow to 67 787 Dreamliners.”
CEO of Riyadh Air, Tony Douglas said: “The commitment to firm up an additional 28 787 Dreamliners and introduce the 787-10 marks another significant milestone in Riyadh Air’s journey towards over 100 international destinations by 2030, a key part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions. Following the recent launch of full operations, guests have been hugely impressed with the Riyadh Air experience onboard our current fleet of six Boeing 787 jets. The addition of the 787-10 strengthens our ability to accommodate growing passenger and cargo demand while providing the operational flexibility required to support our ambitious network plans.”
Boeing stated that “by operating the 787-9 and 787-10, Riyadh Air will benefit from fleet commonality, including shared flight deck systems, maintenance procedures and pilot training, helping deliver operational efficiencies while ensuring a consistent, premium guest experience across its network.”
President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stephanie Pope said: “The 787-10 will be a great complement to Riyadh Air’s growing fleet and advance the airline’s mission to be a world-class airline that delivers an exceptional passenger experience.”
Boeing noted that “the addition of the 787-10 reflects Riyadh Air’s commitment to operating one of the world’s most modern, efficient and sustainable fleets. As the largest member of the 787 Dreamliner family, the 787-10 will boost Riyadh Air’s capacity with 50 more seats than the 787-9, while reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces.”
The aircraft manufacturer disclosed that “the expanded Boeing fleet will help Riyadh Air grow its network and add the capacity needed to ensure Riyadh, a G20 capital city, is fully connected to 100 global destinations realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Boeing added that “as a wholly owned company of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air acts as a key catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification strategy. By expanding its global reach, the airline expects to generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute over $20 billion (SAR 75 billion) to non-oil GDP growth by 2030.”