At the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the newly established airline Riyadh Air announced a firm order for 60 Airbus A321neo Family aircraft.
The A321neo, the largest variant in the Airbus A320neo Family, is renowned for its long range and high performance. Equipped with next-generation engines and Sharklets, the aircraft boasts a 50% reduction in noise, a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency, and significantly lower CO₂ emissions compared to earlier single-aisle models. It also features the widest single-aisle cabin currently in operation, enhancing passenger comfort.
To date, over 6,700 A321neo aircraft have been ordered by more than 90 customers worldwide.
Riyadh Air, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, will commence operations in 2025. The airline has also ordered 39 Boeing 787-9s, with options for an additional 33 Dreamliners.
The signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures including His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of Riyadh Air; Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air; Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus; and Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft division.
Christian Scherer remarked, “We are proud to welcome Riyadh Air as a new Airbus customer and partner. The latest generation A321neo aircraft will enhance the airline’s operational efficiency, contribute to its decarbonisation goals, and provide comfort to passengers. We look forward to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious aviation objectives.”
Tony Douglas emphasized, “This investment will not only support economic growth in the aviation sector but also ensure Riyadh Air operates one of the most fuel-efficient fleets. It will play a crucial role in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its decarbonisation goals and reinforce the positive economic impact of our new airline on both global and local scales, facilitating the rapidly growing Saudi aviation ecosystem.”
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