Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabiaโs new premium international airline, has placed a firm order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, with options to expand the order to a total of 50. The agreement was signed during the 2025 Paris Air Show and marks a key milestone in the airlineโs growth and in the development of Saudi Arabiaโs aviation sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia; Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus; and Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
With this order, Riyadh Air will become the first airline in Saudi Arabia to operate the A350-1000, Airbusโ largest and most advanced twin-engine long-range aircraft. The addition of these aircraft supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a global aviation and tourism hub and reach a target of 300 million air passengers annually by the end of the decade.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, emphasized the significance of the acquisition:
โThis order marks a significant step forward in building a world-class airline that reflects the ambitions of Vision 2030. The A350-1000 will bring outstanding efficiency and comfort to our fleet, supporting our sustainability goals and enabling Riyadh Air to offer a premium experience while connecting Saudi Arabia to the world.โ
Benoรฎt de Saint-Exupรฉry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft, commented:
โWe are proud to extend our strategic partnership with Riyadh Air as it continues to build a pioneering carrier for the Kingdom. The A350-1000, as the leader in long-range performance, offers exceptional efficiency, range, and passenger comfort, making it well-suited to support the airlineโs ambitious plans and Saudi Arabiaโs Vision 2030 objectives.โ
The Airbus A350 is recognized as one of the most modern and efficient widebody aircraft in service today. It features the longest range capability of any commercial aircraft currently in production and is designed to accommodate high levels of fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. All A350 aircraft are certified to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of flying with 100% SAF by 2030.
As of the end of May 2025, Airbus has received over 1,390 firm orders for the A350 Family from more than 60 customers globally, with 657 aircraft currently in operation across a range of long, medium, and short-haul routes.
