Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier Riyadh Air has made a historic leap in aviation after taking delivery of its first two custom-built Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, marking a landmark moment in the airline’s path to commercial operations and the Kingdom’s ambition to position Riyadh as a leading global aviation hub.
The twin aircraft touched down at King Khalid International Airport on Friday morning, receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute. Registered as HZ-RXAA and HZ-RXAB and operating under the call signs “Riyadh 1” and “Riyadh 2,” they represent the first deliveries from the airline’s order of 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Riyadh Air is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and forms a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda.
Chief Executive Tony Douglas called the delivery a defining moment for Saudi aviation. “Not only are we building an airline, we are opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom,” Douglas said.
London Route to Launch Full Operations in July
The delivery follows Riyadh Air’s recent opening of public ticket sales on the Riyadh–London Heathrow route, with full-service operations scheduled to begin on 1 July. That service will serve as the first route flown exclusively by the new 787-9 fleet and experts expect it to anchor the airline’s international network.
Moreover, each aircraft features a four-class cabin configuration, Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, alongside next-generation in-flight entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity, and high-speed digital services.
By 2030, the airline plans to connect Riyadh to more than 100 destinations worldwide and grow its fleet to over 180 aircraft. Additionally, Riyadh Air expects to serve nearly 20 destinations before the year ends, leveraging the Kingdom’s strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Saudi aviation authorities project that Riyadh Air will eventually contribute nearly $20 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil economy and support more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan chairs the carrier, which received its Air Operator Certificate from the General Authority of Civil Aviation in April 2025.
