Riyadh Air has firmed up an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, increasing its confirmed commitment for the widebody type to 31 aircraft as the Saudi carrier continues to expand its long-haul network.
The order, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, exercises purchase rights from the airline’s original 2025 agreement for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s. With the latest commitment, Riyadh Air now has 91 Airbus aircraft on order, including 60 A321neo aircraft, while retaining purchase rights for a further 19 A350-1000s.
The airline will become the first carrier in Saudi Arabia to operate the Airbus A350-1000, deploying the aircraft on ultra-long-haul routes as it works toward its goal of serving more than 100 global destinations by 2030.
The announcement follows Riyadh Air’s launch of commercial operations in June 2026. The carrier currently operates services to London Heathrow, Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Malaga and Madrid, while ticket sales have opened for new routes to Dhaka, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Manchester and Mumbai, with additional destinations planned.
Powered by Rolls-Royce engines, the Airbus A350-1000 will provide the range, fuel efficiency and passenger capacity required to support Riyadh Air’s expanding intercontinental network and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy.
According to Airbus, the A350-1000 delivers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions compared with previous-generation widebody aircraft, supporting airlines’ sustainability and efficiency objectives.
As of the end of June 2026, the Airbus A350 family had secured 1,595 firm orders from 68 customers worldwide, underscoring continued demand for the long-range widebody aircraft.
