Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's ambitious new airline, just suffered a big setback

Table of Contents

• Saudi Arabia aims to boost tourism and broaden its economy by utilizing Riyadh Air.
• The launch was postponed due to shipment delays from Boeing, as Bloomberg reported.
• Riyadh Air opts for Airbus for its second purchase, settling the suspense after months of anticipation.

, Bloomberg reported.

The new airline is a key component of Saudi Arabia's efforts to draw in more tourists.

It aims to compete with major carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways, both of which are based in the Middle East.

announced that it has ordered 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with the option to purchase an additional 33 more.

The airline had anticipated receiving eight of these aircraft this year, but now expects to only receive four, according to Bloomberg.

As a result, Riyadh Air has moved its planned start-up to the third quarter from early 2025.

"We've obviously adjusted our plans, like everyone else has, to adapt to the latest forecast," said CEO Tony Douglas.

He's optimistic with the current forecast, saying deliveries are likely this year. That being said, it's not a guarantee; there's still some risk involved.

Boeing said in a statement: "We remain committed to closely collaborating with Riyadh Air on their delivery timeline and look forward to helping Riyadh launch its inaugural operations."

Riyadh Air failed to respond to a request for comment from Business Insider at this time.

Delivery dips

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The plane manufacturer delivered 348 aircraft last year - its lowest output since the pandemic - as it dealt with the aftermath of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max losing a cabin door plug during a flight.

Regulators imposed a production limit on the aircraft, while output was also hindered by a seven-week strike that occurred in the Seattle area.

The planes are manufactured in South Carolina, but the company has slowed the production process in order to perform rigorous overhauls to ensure safety and high-quality standards.

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The airline has already partnered with the Spanish soccer team Atlético Madrid. It also intends to integrate AI into its systems, which would allow a passenger who is running late to skip lengthy security lines on short notice.

Riyadh Air has also ordered single-aisle aircraft for its short-haul flights.

Reports indicated that Riyadh was reportedly planning to purchase up to 100 Boeing 737 Max aircraft. However, no agreement was reached.

A321neo jets.

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