Riyadh Air increases Airbus A350-1000 order to 31 aircraft
Saudi Arabian carrier Riyadh Air has confirmed a firm order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, bringing its total firm orders for the type to 31. Airbus announced the deal on 20 July 2026 at the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom.
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The agreement builds on the airline's original 2025 intent to order up to 50 A350-1000 aircraft. Riyadh Air is set to become the first airline in Saudi Arabia to operate this aircraft type.
The new aircraft are meant to support the carrier's international expansion and align with the broader goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program.
Riyadh Air's Chief Financial Officer Adam Boukadida said the increased order to 31 aircraft confirms the company's confidence in its growth strategy and strengthens the foundation of its future route network. He noted that the move is meant to support the airline's ambition to serve more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030 while maintaining a premium standard of service.
Commenting on the deal for Airbus, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft, said the company is deepening its partnership with Riyadh Air and that the A350-1000 is set to play an important role in achieving the goals of Vision 2030 and in establishing Saudi Arabia as an international aviation hub.
Airbus describes the A350 as the world's most modern widebody aircraft, designed for ranges of up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 kilometers) without stopovers, setting new standards for intercontinental flights.
According to the manufacturer, the latest generation of Rolls-Royce engines combined with the use of lightweight materials delivers a 25 percent saving in fuel burn, operating costs and CO2 emissions compared with previous-generation competitor aircraft. The Airspace cabin is designed to offer passengers and crew modern amenities for a comfortable flight.
- New order
- 6 A350-1000 units
- Total A350-1000
- 31 aircraft
- Original intent (2025)
- up to 50 aircraft
- A350 range
- 9,700 NM / 18,000 km
- A350 Family orders
- 1,595 units
- A350 Family customers
- 68 companies
- Announcement date
- 20 July 2026
Airbus added that by the end of June 2026, the entire A350 family had accumulated 1,595 firm orders from 68 customers worldwide, making it, according to the manufacturer, one of the most successful widebody aircraft in history.