Riyadh Air studies orders for 25-30 Boeing 787s and more Airbus, sources say - AOL

Riyadh Air is studying the purchase of an additional 25–30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners by exercising most of its contractual options with Boeing, and is also considering converting options on Airbus A350-1000 jets into firm orders, industry sources said. The carrier already ordered up to 72 Boeing 787s in 2023 – comprising 39 definitive orders and options for 33 more – and has 25 Airbus A350-1000s on order with options for a further 25.

"An announcement that Riyadh Air is converting the bulk of those options into outright purchases could come as early as next week's Farnborough Airshow," the sources said. "Riyadh Air and Boeing both declined to comment."

Deal architecture and existing commitments

The potential Boeing move would see Riyadh Air exercise most of its outstanding 33 Boeing 787 options, turning a significant portion of those conditional slots into firm commitments for between 25 and 30 aircraft. Taken together with the 39 definitive Dreamliner orders already on the books, that would cement a large, 787-centric fleet plan for the Saudi start-up.

• Current Boeing programme: Up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (39 firm, 33 options).
• Potential new Boeing conversion: 25–30 Dreamliners by exercising existing options.
• Airbus commitments: 25 Airbus A350-1000 on order, with options for another 25; some of those options may be converted to firm purchases.

Riyadh Air staged its first commercial revenue flight last month, marking a milestone as it begins to transition from launch phase to active operations. The carrier’s dual-track orderbook — large commitments to both Boeing's 787 family and Airbus's A350-1000 — reflects an emphasis on widebody, long-haul capacity as the airline scales up its network.

Industry sources cautioned that discussions were ongoing and that details had not been finalised, leaving the exact number of conversions and the timing of any public announcement uncertain. The Farnborough Airshow, taking place next week, was flagged by sources as a plausible setting for a formal announcement should Riyadh Air and its manufacturers agree the terms.

Outlook

If Riyadh Air converts most of its Boeing options into firm orders, the airline would significantly strengthen its 787 fleet pipeline, accelerating deliveries and fleet growth plans already set in motion by the 2023 commitment. A parallel conversion of Airbus A350-1000 options would similarly expand its long-haul widebody capability. Both scenarios would have implications for delivery schedules at Boeing and Airbus and would underline Riyadh Air’s ambitions as it moves from inaugural commercial services into sustained operations.

For now, Boeing, Airbus and Riyadh Air have not provided public comment, and industry sources say negotiations and internal approvals remain underway ahead of any firm, public confirmation.