Riyadh Air, a new international airline from Saudi Arabia, has confirmed an order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The agreement, which may extend to 50 aircraft, was formalized at the Paris Air Show. Present at the signing were H.E Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, and Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
This order makes Riyadh Air the first Saudi Arabian airline to operate the A350-1000 model. It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of accommodating 300 million air passengers annually by decade’s end and establishing the nation as a major aviation and tourism center.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air stated, “This 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.” He added that it signals their intent “to shape the future of air travel and contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s fast-growing aviation ecosystem.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business commented on the partnership: “We are proud to extend our strategic partnership with Riyadh Air as it continues to build a pioneering carrier for the Kingdom. As the long-range leader, the A350-1000 will provide unrivalled efficiency, range and passenger comfort, making it the ideal choice to support the airline’s ambitious growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to enhance global connectivity and economic diversification.”
The A350 is known for its modern design and efficiency in widebody aircraft category. It offers extensive range capabilities for intercontinental flights. Currently capable of operating with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be fully SAF-capable by 2030.
By May 2025, over 1,390 firm orders have been placed for A350 Family models by more than 60 customers worldwide. Of these orders, 657 aircraft are actively serving on various routes globally.
