Riyadh Air places order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft

(Representational Image; Courtesy: Riyadh Air)

Riyadh Air has placed an order for 25 A350-1000 aircraft, the Saudi Arabia-based premium international airline said in a statement on Monday. The agreement, which the airline said could potentially increase to 50 A350-1000 aircraft, was signed at the Paris Air Show.

The airline will be the first air carrier in Saudi Arabia to operate the A350-1000, and it said the move is in line with the country's Vision 2030 goal to reach 300 million air passengers annually by the end of the decade.

Commenting on the development, Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, said, "This order marks a significant step forward in building a world-class airline that reflects the ambitions of Vision 2030. The A350-1000 will bring outstanding efficiency and comfort to our fleet, supporting our sustainability goals and enabling Riyadh Air to offer a premium experience while connecting Saudi Arabia to the world."

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said, "We are proud to extend our strategic partnership with Riyadh Air as it continues to build a pioneering carrier for the Kingdom. As the long-range leader, the A350-1000 will provide unrivalled efficiency, range and passenger comfort, making it the ideal choice to support the airline’s ambitious growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to enhance global connectivity and economic diversification."

As per Airbus, at the end of May 2025, the A350 Family has secured over 1,390 firm orders from more than 60 customers worldwide, with 657 aircraft in service on long, medium and short haul routes around the world.

Airbus wins Polish order for 40 A220 plus options

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Polish airline LOT is also poised to announce an order for 40 Airbus A220, with options for a further 44 aircraft. The report stated that that the finalisation of the deal at the Paris Airshow follows a lengthy battle between Airbus and Brazil's Embraer.

The Airbus A350 widebody aircraft offers the longest range capability of any commercial airliner in production, and it is capable of operating with up to 50 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with the aircraft maker aims for all its aircraft to be 100 percent SAF-capable by 2030.