Skift Take
After months of speculation about its narrowbody fleet, on Wednesday Saudi start-up carrier Riyadh Air finally revealed the supplier and size of its first single-aisle plane order.
Saudi Arabian start-up airline Riyadh Air is buying 60 Airbus aircraft. The order, announced in the Saudi city on Wednesday, is for single-aisle A321neo jets.
The deal marks the end of an intense period of speculation regarding the future shape and size of the Riyadh Air fleet. It means that the airline will ultimately fly a mix of Airbus and Boeing planes across its network.
In 2023, the carrier placed its first aircraft order. The deal covered 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options for a further 33. An additional widebody contract is expected as momentum behind the airline gathers pace.Speaking on CNN’s Quest Means Business on Tuesday night, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas used a metaphor to describe the airline's strategy when ordering aircraft:
“I