Airlines Saudia and Riyadh Air have each ordered 39 Boeing 787s from Boeing. Furthermore, ten or 33 options for possible repeat orders were secured. The order can therefore include a total of 121 machines.
The government of Saudi Arabia intends to significantly expand air traffic as part of the Aviation Strategy 2030. Both the existing Saudia and the Riyadh Air, which is currently being set up, are to grow significantly. Low-cost airlines in particular are attracted with the help of subsidies. Wizz Air intends to set up a local subsidiary.
Riyadh Air should start next year at the latest and compete in particular with Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways. Former Ryanair and Easyjet manager Peter Bellew has also been brought into the management team. The head of the company is former Etihad CEO Tony Douglas.
Saudia will receive the ordered Dreamliners in the 787-9 and B787-10 variants. The exact allocation has not yet been communicated. For the time being, Riyadh Air will only purchase the former version. All new orders will be equipped with General Electric engines.
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