Boeing has announced that two Saudi Arabian airlines have placed orders for up to 121 787 Dreamliner airplanes, to help the country achieve its target of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030. Riyadh Air, the newly created Saudi Arabian airline owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will purchase 39 787-9s and hold options for an additional 33 787-9s. Saudia Arabian Airlines will also acquire 49 787 Dreamliners with an extra 10 options, which will enable it to expand its long-haul fleet.
The order is valued at around $37bn, based on the list prices for 78 planes. Airlines typically get undisclosed discounts when purchasing airplanes. The order will include both 787-9 and 787-10 models. Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, expressed his excitement about the airline’s new addition, saying that “the new airline reflects the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia to be at the core of shaping the future of global air travel and be a true disrupter in terms of customer experience.”
According to Douglas, Riyadh Air’s commitment to its customers would see the integration of digital innovation and authentic Saudi hospitality to provide a seamless travel experience. He also noted that the airline would serve as a foundation for its worldwide operations, as it builds its network and connects guests to Saudi Arabia and various destinations globally. His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group, said that the agreement with Boeing would enable the airline to fulfil its strategic objective of bringing the world to the Kingdom.
Since its launch in 2011, the 787 family has created over 350 new nonstop routes worldwide, including approximately 50 new routes since 2020. The Dreamliner also reduces fuel usage and emissions by 25% compared to the aircraft it replaces. The CEO of Boeing, Stan Deal, welcomed the order, stating that “we value the confidence Riyadh Air and Saudia have placed in the 787 Dreamliner to power their future fleet and connect Saudi Arabia to the world. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Riyadh Air and Saudia to support their fleet growth and technology strategies.”
This new deal follows the 100 787 Dreamliners and 100 737 MAX jets ordered by United Airlines in December. Additionally, earlier this month, Indian budget airline IndiGo announced that it is in talks with Boeing and Airbus to acquire more than 500 aircraft, including widebody planes like the 787 or Airbus A330neo.
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