Saudi startup airline Riyadh Air has ordered up to 50 A350-1000 aircraft on the first day of the Paris Air Show on June 16, 2025. The agreement includes 25 firm orders with purchase rights for an additional 25 aircraft.
The airline said the aircraft was chosen to further optimise its fleet, capacity and operations, while minimising the number of aircraft types in its fleet.
The airline now has up to 182 aircraft on order and will operate a three-type fleet. Riyadh Air maintained it is still set to commence its maiden flight later this year.
“Riyadh Air is making significant progress as we move towards our first flight later this year and agreeing this deal for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is an important statement of intent,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. “Already in 2025, we have received our AOC and unveiled our new cabin interiors and having now completed our initial three aircraft orders, we are in a position to fulfil our ambitious network goals.”
Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer said: “Riyadh Air’s selection of the A350-1000 underscores the aircraft’s unmatched capability to deliver premium passenger experience and operational excellence—perfectly aligned with the ambitions of Vision 2030.”