Daily news highlights from the Paris Air Show reveal that Riyadh Air, a new airline from Saudi Arabia, has made a big move to grow its fleet. On the first day of the 2025 Paris Air Show, the airline signed a firm deal to buy 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with an option to buy 25 more in the future. This is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger plan to become a major center for global air travel and luxury tourism.
This important order was confirmed on Monday at Le Bourget Airport, where the show is being held. It clearly shows Riyadh Air’s ambition to grow quickly and help Saudi Arabia become a top destination for tourists and international travelers.
Key Points from the Announcement:
- Big Order for Long-Haul Flights: Riyadh Air chose the Airbus A350-1000 to expand its long-distance flight options. These wide-body planes are great for flying long international routes in comfort and style.
- More Planes Could Be Added: Along with the firm order of 25 planes, the airline has options to buy 25 more A350s. This means Riyadh Air might expand even further depending on how the business grows.
- Strong Vision for the Future: Adam Boukadida, the Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, said this move shows the airline’s goal to change the future of air travel and play a big role in Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing aviation industry.
- Part of a Larger Growth Plan: This new deal is Riyadh Air’s second major order for wide-body aircraft. In March 2023, the airline ordered 39 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with options for 33 more planes. They also ordered 60 A321 Neo narrow-body jets from Airbus last October for shorter routes.
Saudi Arabia’s Big Tourism Dream
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in tourism and aviation. The country wants to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030 and is putting $800 billion into the sector. Riyadh Air is a major part of this plan, aiming to attract wealthy and high-spending tourists instead of large groups of budget travelers.
The airline has made big progress this year. It received its Air Operator Certificate, took delivery of its first technical spare aircraft, and is getting ready to launch its first commercial flights later this year. The airline is expected to announce its first routes and flight dates soon.
Airbus Leads at Paris Air Show
This deal with Riyadh Air was Airbus’s second order on the first day of the air show. Earlier that day, AviLease, a Saudi plane leasing company, also placed a big order for up to 77 Airbus aircraft. Airbus is clearly having a strong presence at this year’s Paris Air Show.
According to Airbus’s Global Market Forecast, the company expects a demand for 42,450 new passenger planes around the world between 2025 and 2044. This is a 2% increase compared to their earlier forecast, showing strong growth in air travel demand worldwide.
Boeing Keeps a Low Profile After Air India Crash
While Airbus is making big announcements at the air show, its American rival Boeing is taking a step back. Just days before the event, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed in Ahmedabad, killing nearly everyone on board and some people on the ground. Because of this, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and commercial planes head Stephanie Pope cancelled their trip to the show. Boeing is now focusing on helping with the crash investigation.
Riyadh Air’s Airbus Deal Boosts Saudi Aviation
The Breaking News from the Daily news highlights at the Paris Air Show shows that Riyadh Air is serious about growing fast. The airline’s latest deal with Airbus is part of a huge plan to turn Saudi Arabia into a global travel hub. With billions invested and more deals expected, the skies above the kingdom are only getting busier
