Summary
Riyadh Air is in talks with Airbus SE (EPA:AIR) and Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) to acquire more widebody jets, including options for approximately six Airbus A350-1000s and about 30 Boeing aircraft, according to people familiar with the discussions. The carrier plans to make the deal public at the Farnborough International Airshow outside London next week, the people said.
Sources close to the negotiations said the state-owned Saudi Arabian carrier is finalizing options that would increase its roster of long-haul widebodies as it moves beyond initial operations. The airline launched full-scale service this month operating seven Boeing 787 aircraft and currently serves nine destinations, including Dubai and London.
Riyadh Air, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, previously placed large orders in 2023. That purchase included 39 Boeing 787-9 aircraft with options for 33 more, along with orders for over 60 Airbus A321 narrowbody jets and 25 A350s, plus purchasing rights for 25 additional aircraft. The new widebody commitment under discussion would further expand the carrier's capacity as it builds out an international route network.
The reporting that detailed these talks cited unidentified people with direct knowledge of the matter. Those sources indicated the carrier intends to announce the transaction during next week's Farnborough International Airshow, a major venue for commercial aircraft deals.
As a nascent international operator, Riyadh Air's fleet plan and any additions of A350-1000s and further Boeing widebody models would be a material step in scaling service frequency and route reach. The talks, as described by the sources, remain in the negotiation stage and have not been confirmed by the manufacturers or the airline in public statements available in the reporting.
Below are concise takeaways and considerations that follow from the reported negotiations.