Riyadh Air to convert options into up to 30 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air is evaluating the conversion of 25 to 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner options into firm orders, which would raise its confirmed 787-9 fleet to between 64 and 69 aircraft. The airline, which launched revenue service in June 2026 with a 787‑9 to London, originally ordered 39 787‑9s in 2023 and secured options for another 33.

The potential announcement could come at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026. In parallel, Riyadh Air has a sizable Airbus order book, including 60 A321neo family aircraft ordered in 2024 and a firm agreement for 25 A350‑1000s with an equal number of options, some of which may also be converted to firm purchases. The carrier, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, aims to operate more than 100 destinations by 2030 and plans a total fleet of about 182 aircraft.

Riyadh Air’s expansion is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to grow its aviation and tourism sectors, positioning the airline as the kingdom’s second national carrier alongside Saudia.