Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, Riyadh Air, is accelerating its international ambitions with another major aircraft order. At the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the airline confirmed it will exercise purchase rights for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, increasing its firm order for the type from 25 to 31 aircraft.
The latest deal marks another milestone for the airline, which launched commercial operations in June and is rapidly building a fleet designed to connect the Saudi capital with more than 100 destinations worldwide by the end of the decade.
The Airbus A350-1000 will become the backbone of Riyadh Air’s ultra-long-haul network, enabling nonstop flights across Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. The airline says the aircraft’s fuel efficiency, long range and passenger comfort make it central to its strategy of creating a modern global carrier from scratch.
The airline now has 91 aircraft on firm order, including 60 Airbus A321neo narrowbody aircraft and 31 A350-1000s. It also retains purchase rights for another 19 A350 aircraft, giving it flexibility to expand further as demand grows.
The announcement comes just weeks after Riyadh Air inaugurated its first scheduled passenger service between Riyadh and London Heathrow on June 10, marking the official start of operations.
Since then, the carrier has quickly expanded its network. It currently serves London, Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Malaga and Madrid. Ticket sales have also opened for six more destinations—Dhaka, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Manchester and Mumbai. Additional routes are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Chief Financial Officer Adam Boukadida said the additional aircraft demonstrate the airline’s long-term ambitions following its commercial debut.
“Following the historic take-off of our first commercial flights last month, confirming these purchase rights for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is a powerful statement of our growth and long-term ambition,” he said.
Code-share with competitor Saudia
In parallel, Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers, Saudia and Riyadh Air, are launching a domestic codeshare partnership that will significantly expand connectivity within the Kingdom.
Beginning July 31, 2026, Riyadh Air will place its RX flight code on selected Saudia-operated domestic services from Riyadh. The initial routes include flights from Riyadh to Abha, Dammam, Gassim, Jeddah, Madinah and Tabuk.
The agreement allows passengers to book these domestic sectors on a single Riyadh Air itinerary, making it easier to connect from the airline’s growing international network. Travelers will benefit from seamless transfers, coordinated baggage handling, and access to a wider range of destinations across Saudi Arabia.
