Riyadh Air orders 28 more Dreamliners
The agreement, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow,
includes the conversion of 20 existing orders to the larger Boeing 787-10 model
and the disclosure of a previously unannounced order for 11 Dreamliners. The
remaining aircraft are expected to be finalized in the near future.
The fleet expansion comes as the Saudi Arabian carrier accelerates its
international growth strategy under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative, which
aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a global aviation hub. Riyadh Air plans to
serve more than 100 international destinations by 2030.
Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas said the airline has received
positive feedback since beginning commercial operations, adding that the
additional aircraft will help meet rising passenger and cargo demand while
supporting network expansion.
Boeing said operating both the 787-9 and 787-10 variants will allow the
airline to benefit from common pilot training, maintenance procedures, and
flight deck systems, improving operational efficiency.
According to Boeing, the 787-10 is the largest member of the Dreamliner
family, offering approximately 50 more seats than the 787-9 while reducing fuel
consumption and emissions by around 25 percent compared to older aircraft it
replaces.
