Riyadh Air, the newly established international airline headquartered in Saudi Arabia, has officially ordered 60 A321neo Family aircraft. This agreement was finalized during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) held in Riyadh, representing a pivotal achievement for Riyadh Air. The signing event was graced by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of Riyadh Air, alongside 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, remarked, “This investment will not only facilitate 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 crucial role in assisting Saudi Arabia in achieving its decarbonization objectives.” He further emphasized that this agreement significantly enhances the positive economic influence of Saudi Arabia’s newest airline on both global and local levels, thereby supporting the rapidly expanding Saudi aviation ecosystem.
Christian Scherer, the CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the addition of Riyadh Air as a new customer and partner. He stated, “We are delighted to welcome Riyadh Air into the Airbus family. The latest A321neo aircraft will significantly enhance the airline’s operational efficiency, contribute meaningfully to its decarbonization objectives, and provide superior comfort for its passengers. We eagerly anticipate collaborating to support the ambitious goals of Saudi aviation.”
The A321neo stands as the largest variant within Airbus’ highly successful A320neo Family, delivering exceptional range and performance. Featuring next-generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo achieves a 50% reduction in noise levels and over 20% savings in fuel and CO₂ emissions compared to earlier single-aisle aircraft, all while ensuring maximum passenger comfort in the most spacious single-aisle cabin available.
To date, more than 6,700 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by over 90 customers worldwide.
Riyadh Air serves as the second flag carrier for Saudi Arabia, with its base located in Riyadh. The airline will provide scheduled flights, both domestic and international, to over 100 destinations across the Middle East and six continents from its primary hub at King Khalid International Airport. The fleet will include Airbus A321neo and Boeing 787 aircraft.
The airline is set to commence its inaugural commercial flights in 2025, with plans established as of 2024. Riyadh Air has formed partnerships with members of SkyTeam, including Delta Air Lines, China Eastern Airlines, and Saudia, as well as with Star Alliance members such as Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air China, and Egyptair.
As reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Riyadh Air will be under the ownership of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor, acting as chairman. Tony Douglas has been appointed as the CEO, having previously held the position of CEO at Etihad Airways from January 2018 to October 2022. It is anticipated that Riyadh Air will contribute $20 billion to the growth of the non-oil GDP and generate over 200,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.