Peter Bellew, the Chief Operating Officer of Riyadh Air, announced that the airline is evaluating Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 models for its second wide-body aircraft order. Riyadh Air is set to receive the first of its 787 jets from Boeing in the second quarter of 2025, with a decision on the size and type of the new order expected within the next 12 months.
Bellew confirmed that the Saudi airline has secured the delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and has visited the Charleston, South Carolina factory four times, observing transparency in the production process. Discussions regarding models like the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 are ongoing, with negotiations for wide-body aircraft orders with both manufacturers.
Test Flights with Istanbul
Riyadh Air is accelerating preparations for its first flight planned for the second quarter of 2025. Bellew stated that the process will be completed with the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to be obtained in December, followed by planned test flights on September 12. Test flights will be conducted to destinations including Munich, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Cairo, Istanbul, Muscat, and Dubai.
Hiring 700 Pilots and 3,000 Cabin Crew in Two Years
The airline has already hired 30 pilots and 32 cabin crew for the 787 aircraft and plans to hire 700 more pilots and 3,000 additional cabin crew over the next two years. Riyadh Air aims to rapidly expand by establishing training facilities and recruitment processes.
Bellew also mentioned that Riyadh Air plans to introduce new seat configurations within the next six to seven months, noting significant improvements in the production process for seats and in-flight entertainment systems.
Evaluating Wide-Body Orders
Riyadh Air continues to negotiate with Boeing and Airbus for its second wide-body aircraft order, considering models like the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350. Bellew indicated that Comac could also be a future option for the airline.
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