Aviation News – Riyadh Air has announced its first aircraft lease agreement with AviLease for a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking a major milestone ahead of the airline’s commercial launch.
The deal, confirmed on October 27, represents a significant step in Riyadh Air’s rapid progress toward becoming Saudi Arabia’s next-generation national carrier. The leased aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of this year and will play a central role in supporting the airline’s early operations and route development strategy.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, known for its long-range capability and fuel efficiency, will enable Riyadh Air to operate medium- to long-haul international routes with reduced emissions and enhanced passenger comfort. The aircraft’s advanced design and technology make it an ideal fit for the airline’s vision of offering a modern, sustainable, and digitally driven travel experience.
Last Sunday Riyadh Air completed its inaugural flight from Riyadh to London, marking a key milestone toward the Saudi carrier’s full commercial debut later this year.
The flight departed Riyadh at 03:26 local time and landed in London at 07:14 after nearly seven hours in the air. Operated by the airline’s sole aircraft—a former Oman Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered HZ-RXX and named Jamila (“the beautiful one” in Arabic)—the flight symbolizes the beginning of Riyadh Air’s operational journey under the Kingdom’s ambitious aviation expansion plans.
The non-commercial flight carried an undisclosed number of employees from Riyadh Air and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns the airline. While passenger bookings are not yet open to the public, the event signals that operational readiness and staff training are entering their final stages.