Riyadh Air Acquires First Boeing 787 on Lease

Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia which is set to launch operations this year, has acquire a Boeing 787-9 aircraft on lease. But this aircraft is not set to enter scheduled services for the airline.

Here’s what’s happening…

Who Is Riyadh Air?

Intended as the second flag carrier of Saudi Arabia (after Saudia Airlines), Riyadh Air is an ambitious new project set to challenge the dominance of other carriers in the Middle East region.

It intends to serve up to 100 destinations, with codeshare parternships with a number of carriers and alliances, and will offer an onboard product to match any rivals.

Riyadh Air’s CEO is Tony Douglas, who previously managed Etihad Airways.

Riyadh Air’s Fleet

Riyadh Air plans to take the industry by storm, with a hub operation based in Riyadh (naturally).

To date it has placed orders for close to a hundred aircraft (including options), comprising both the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321neo.

This mix will give the airline a good range of options suitable to a network spanning destinations across the world.

Previously, a Boeing 787-9 (registration N8572C) wore Riyadh Air’s livery for promotional purposes, but has now been delivered to TAAG Angola Airlines as D2-TEQ.

About this Aircraft

This first aircraft has appeared fully painted in Riyadh Air’s livery in promotional shots released by the airline.

The aircraft appears to have the registration HZ-RXX. However, the aircraft has been leased and is thought to have previously flown as A4O-SD with Oman Air.

According to the airline, this aircraft will not enter passenger service with the airline and is intended to be used as a ‘technical spare’.

In this role, it will be used in training crews and staff, and in the process of obtaining the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with the General Authority of Civil Aviation before operating as Riyadh Air’s technical spare to allow operations to commence later in 2025.

It will likely be used in promotional duties ahead of launch, and also possibly on charter flights.

It does not have the airline’s intended cabin installed, and is likely to retain the cabin and seating of the previous operator.