Impressive Trip: Retired Boeing Aircraft Arrive at Boulevard Runway
Three retired Boeing 777 aircraft, owned by the Saudi Airlines (Saudia) have arrived today in Riyadh, after a long road journey from Jeddah, to feature in the Boulevard Runway zone.
The 11-day-trip has captivated regional and global attention as people recorded the aircraft’s journey across the deserts and mountains of Saudi Arabia through photos and videos, underscoring the Kingdom’s potent road network.
Arrival Moment
In a video footage, Al Ekhbariya TV captured the arrival of the aircraft at Boulevard City in the Saudi capital. The 3 giant Boeing aircraft will undergo a unique and innovative transformation to debut in Riyadh Season 2024, in an innovative collaboration between Saudia and Riyadh Season.
لقطات لوصول طائرات #موسم_الرياض الـ3 إلى منطقة "بوليفارد رانواي" بعد رحلة دامت 11 يومًا
عبر مراسل #الإخبارية سليمان الجبر pic.twitter.com/P5lRGYVJtC
— قناة الإخبارية (@alekhbariyatv) September 17, 2024
From Jeddah to Riyadh, the retired Boeing 777 aircraft have overcome all logistics challenges and completed their 1,000-kilometer-journey in a record time, owing to the expertise of their accompanying team and the strength of the Kingdom’s infrastructure.
The aircraft were transported on large trucks, from Jeddah airport to Boulevard Runway zone in Riyadh, after dismantling the aircraft’s wings, fuselages and other functional components. Together, the three aircraft weigh 60 tons and their height exceeds 8.5 meters.
Innovative Idea
The 25-year-old Boeing aircraft were once part of the Saudia’s fleet. After the aircraft went out of service, the Saudi Airlines and Riyadh Season have collaborated to recycle the aircraft in a unique and creative way, bringing life into them.
The retired aircraft will be renovated into special tourist attractions at the Boulevard Runway zone in Riyadh Season by transforming them into dining and retail spaces, in addition to launching 13 interactive experiences that suit all age groups. This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable practices and also highlights the Kingdom’s aviation heritage.
Aircraft Transportation
Transporting the Boeing aircraft by road was not an easy task. The process involved extensive planning and close coordination to ensure the safe arrival of the aircraft, owing to their large size and weight.
Thanks to Saudia’s team of engineers and logistics experts, the intricate process of transporting the aircraft by road, over a distance of 850 kilometers, ran smoothly. The planning for the operation included the selection of transport vehicles capable of carrying the giant aircraft.
It also required close coordination with local authorities and traffic management agencies to prepare roads and highways for the process, to avoid disruption of the regular traffic flow or damaging the infrastructure.
The success of the transportation operation is a result of Saudi Arabia’s highly-connected road network, one of the largest worldwide, which enhances the efficiency of logistics and shipping operations.
Celebrating Aircraft Journey
People across Saudi Arabia have celebrated the innovative event on social media, by sharing photos and videos of the aircraft throughout their journey. These include people wearing the traditional attires and waving the Saudi flag as they took photos with the aircraft. Posts also show families gathered to watch the epic moment of the aircraft arrival.
In response to the popular reaction, the Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Al Al-Sheikh, announced a competition for Saudi nationals, awarding luxury cars to the best photos of the aircraft during their trip to Riyadh. The competition has gained momentum, as people enthusiastically engaged with the challenge, posting their photos and videos with the aircraft.
Boulevard Runway
As part of Riyadh Season 2024, Al Al-Sheikh unveiled the Boulevard Runway zone, in cooperation with Saudia. The BLV Runway will feature exceptional immersive experiences, including gaming events and thrilling aircraft-related events. It will be an attractive destination for aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
Furthermore, the awe-inspiring zone will offer a hassle-free travel experience, without the burden of waiting in long lines, packing travel bags, or needing a passport. It will also offer a wide range of luxury dining experiences aboard the transformed Boeing aircraft. Moreover, the Boulevard Runway zone will feature diverse gaming activities and entertainment experiences that combine fun with the thrill of aviation.
