Riyadh Air, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has expressed interest in acquiring Boeing jets originally destined for Chinese airlines but impacted by escalating US-China trade tensions.
Boeing recently repatriated a third jet to the United States and is now seeking buyers for potentially dozens of aircraft affected by Chinese tariffs. “What we’ve done is made it quite clear to Boeing, should that ever happen, we’ll happily take them all,” Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas told Reuters.
Boeing Aircraft Redistribution Boeing has mentioned this aircraft redistribution in recent analyst calls, highlighting strong demand in the tight jet market. Meanwhile, Air India is in talks to purchase around 10 737 MAX jets originally intended for Chinese carriers.
Riyadh Air does not expect a quick resolution to delivery delays affecting major aircraft manufacturers. The airline aims to launch operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, with plans to serve 100 destinations by 2030. Initial routes are expected to be announced by summer, contingent on aircraft deliveries.
The airline has firm orders for 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A321 family aircraft, totaling 132 planes.
Growth Strategy “We are ready to operate. Once we receive that first aircraft, the sky is the limit,” said Alnuaiser. “It’s a domino effect requiring confidence in fleet availability, human resources, and capacity to operate multiple destinations before opening ticket sales.”
Riyadh Air has already hired nearly 500 employees and plans to expand its workforce to 1,000 within the next year. The UAE is a key market within the Gulf Cooperation Council, with a significant portion of future passengers expected to come from the region.
Future Plans Partnerships are integral to Riyadh Air’s strategy to expand its network. The airline has formed alliances with Delta, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, China Eastern, and Air China to offer passengers greater connectivity beyond direct routes.
In the coming months, Riyadh Air will reveal more details about its passenger experience, including food and beverage offerings, wellness programs, and in-flight entertainment as it prepares for its anticipated launch.
