Riyadh Air, the new upscale international airline based in Saudi Arabia, has officially ordered 25 Airbus A350-1000 jets, with the possibility of increasing the fleet to 50. The agreement was announced at the Paris Air Show during a ceremony attended by notable figures such as H.E Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Christian Scherer, Airbus’s Chief Commercial Aircraft Officer, and Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
Riyadh Air will be the first airline in the Kingdom to operate the A350-1000, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal to reach 300 million air travelers annually by the end of the decade. The airline aims to position Saudi Arabia as a major hub for global tourism and aviation.
Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air’s CFO, said, “This order is a major step in creating a world-class airline that embodies Vision 2030. The A350-1000 will deliver exceptional comfort and efficiency, support our sustainability targets, and enable us to provide a premium travel experience connecting Saudi Arabia to the world.” He added that the move signals their intention to shape future air travel and contribute to the growing Saudi aviation scene.
Meanwhile, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus’s EVP of Commercial Aircraft Sales, expressed pride in partnering with Riyadh Air, highlighting the A350-1000’s long-range capability, efficiency, and passenger comfort—making it the perfect fit for the airline’s ambitious expansion and Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification and connectivity goals.
The Airbus A350 is acknowledged as one of the most advanced and fuel-efficient widebody aircraft available today, setting new standards for intercontinental flights. It offers the longest range among current commercial aircraft, supporting ultra-long-haul routes. All A350s are compatible with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with Airbus aiming for 100% SAF capability for all its aircraft by 2030.
As of May 2025, the A350 family has secured over 1,390 firm orders from over 60 airlines worldwide. Currently, 657 of these aircraft are in service, flying across a mix of long, medium, and short-haul routes globally.
