Boeing and Riyadh Air have announced the delivery of the new carrier’s first two passenger aircraft, 787 Dreamliners, which have arrived in Riyadh as the airline prepares to launch commercial services.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, described the arrival of the airline’s first custom-built 787 Dreamliner aircraft as a historic milestone for the carrier and Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. He said the airline is building a new gateway to the world from Riyadh and is preparing to welcome passengers from around the globe.
The deliveries represent a step forward in Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors and serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
Riyadh Air’s fleet plan includes up to 72 Boeing 787 aircraft. The Dreamliners are expected to play a central role in connecting Saudi Arabia with regional and long-haul markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said Riyadh Air is bringing its vision of modern, world-class travel to life and that Boeing is pleased to support the airline as it creates new connectivity between the Kingdom and international markets.
She added that the 787 Dreamliner provides efficiency, route flexibility and an interior designed to support the passenger experience.
Riyadh Air plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030. The airline’s initial 787 operations are planned to include services to cities such as London, Cairo and Jeddah.
