Riyadh Air Announces Purchase of 50 A350-1000 Airplanes at Paris Air Show

Riyadh Air, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier and a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, announced today the signing of an order for 50 Airbus A350-1000 airplanes during the 55th annual Paris Air Show. The agreement includes 25 firm orders with options for an additional 25 aircraft.
 The agreement was signed at Le Bourget Airport by Riyadh Air chief financial officer Adam Boukadida and Airbus executive vice president for sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, in the presence of PIF Governor and Riyadh Air chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Riyadh Air chief executive Tony Douglas, and Airbus chief executive officer of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer.
 “Our new national carrier is set to launch in the near future and represents a key component of the Kingdom’s infrastructure,” Al-Rumayyan said. “It will connect Riyadh to over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.” He added that the addition of the Airbus A350-1000 to the airline’s fleet reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global aviation hub.
 Riyadh Air aims to lead the industry by equipping its fleet with the most advanced digital features and offering the best-in-class travel experience, with cutting-edge interior cabin design and next-generation onboard entertainment and connectivity systems.
 The establishment of Riyadh Air aligns with PIF’s strategy to unlock the potential of promising sectors within the Kingdom and support economic diversification. The airline will contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy by facilitating access for tourists and visitors from around the world to the Kingdom’s most stunning natural and cultural destinations. It will also boost Riyadh’s position as a leading global business hub, increase air travel options, expand cargo capacity, and enhance international passenger traffic.