Riyadh Air says no plans to lease aircraft for launch of operations

Osamah Alnuaiser, Spokesperson for Riyadh Air, said the airline has placed purchase orders for 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 60 Airbus A321s, and a number of Airbus A350s as part of its strategy to build a modern fleet supporting its goals through 2030.

Alnuaiser told Argaam that aircraft deliveries will follow a timetable aligned with global supply chains and ongoing coordination with manufacturers.

Riyadh Air does not plan to lease aircraft, unlike some other regional carriers, and intends to launch operations with a fully owned fleet, he added.

The airline will operate its inaugural flight on Oct. 26 from Riyadh to London, through special launch flights for a select group of passengers, using at least two aircraft in the initial phase, ahead of a full-scale launch and the start of ticket sales.

Alnuaiser added that Riyadh Air aims to become the world’s largest start-up airline, with a fleet of 182 aircraft serving more than 100 international destinations by 2030. He said this ambition reflects the scale of growth and aspiration within Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector.

Riyadh deserves to be a global aviation hub, noting that the airline seeks to build on the progress of others and focus on an operational model centered on quality, sustainability, and innovation, he affirmed.