Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 30, 2024 – Riyadh Air, the newly established premium international airline based in Saudi Arabia, has finalized an order for 60 A321neo Family aircraft. The agreement was made official during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, marking a key achievement for Riyadh Air. The signing event was attended by notable figures including His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of Riyadh Air; Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air; Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus; and Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President of Sales for the Commercial Aircraft division.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated, “This investment will not only bolster economic growth within the aviation sector but will also ensure that Riyadh Air operates one of the most fuel-efficient fleets. It will play a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s decarbonization objectives.” He emphasized that this agreement highlights the positive economic impact of the airline on both global and local scales, aiding the rapidly expanding Saudi aviation ecosystem.
Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, expressed pride in welcoming Riyadh Air as a new customer and collaborator. He noted that the next-generation A321neo aircraft will deliver exceptional operational efficiency, contribute significantly to decarbonization efforts, and enhance passenger comfort. He looks forward to supporting the ambitious goals of Saudi aviation.
The A321neo is the largest variant of Airbus’s popular A320neo Family, known for its remarkable range and performance. Featuring advanced engines and Sharklets, the A321neo achieves a 50% reduction in noise, along with over 20% savings in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared to earlier single-aisle models, all while providing maximum comfort in the roomiest single-aisle cabin available.
As of now, over 6,700 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by more than 90 customers worldwide.
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