en.Wedoany.com Reported - Dimension News, July 20 – Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air announced at the Farnborough Airshow that it has exercised options for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, converting 20 of them to the larger 787-10 variant, while also confirming the purchase of six Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, adding a total of 34 new widebody aircraft orders. The airline has launched several new routes since June and is accelerating its operational pace, aiming to cover over 100 destinations by 2030 and establish Riyadh as a regional aviation hub.

Riyadh Air has already taken delivery of six 787-9 widebody aircraft, currently serving six cities. The confirmed order for six A350-1000s further solidifies previously held purchase rights, bringing the total confirmed orders for this model to 31. Combined with the Boeing orders, the airline’s total confirmed widebody aircraft order book has further expanded. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, Riyadh Air is a key component of the country’s economic diversification strategy, aimed at reducing reliance on oil revenue and promoting tourism and connectivity through the aviation sector, aligning with the nation’s “Vision 2030” plan.

The airline stated that it aims to connect the Saudi capital with over 100 destinations worldwide by the end of this decade, competing with larger rivals in the Middle East. These widebody aircraft are expected to provide capacity support for route expansion, with the 787-10 and A350-1000 both being long-range models suitable for medium- to long-haul international operations. Riyadh Air’s first order announcement at this year’s Farnborough Airshow marks a new phase in its fleet expansion.