Riyadh Air Secures Boeing 787-9 Lease Before Launching Its Own Fleet
Riyadh Air, the new player in the aviation sector, has reached a significant leasing agreement for a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with Avi Lease, which is owned by Saudi Arabia. This deal marks an important milestone as the airline prepares for the launch of its official fleet.
On October 27, 2025, AviLease and Riyadh Air announced they had finalized a “landmark” lease agreement for a single Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, scheduled for delivery in the last quarter of 2025. This partnership makes AviLease the first lessor to team up with the Kingdom’s latest airline.
Adam Boukadida, CFO of Riyadh Air, expressed enthusiasm about the deal. “We are pleased to complete our first aircraft lease with AviLease as we continue building a young, fuel-efficient fleet ahead of our commercial launch. The Boeing 787 is a highly capable aircraft that will play an important role in delivering a world-class travel experience for our future guests. This agreement marks an important step in establishing Riyadh Air as a leading global airline,” he stated.
Riyadh Air’s Maiden Flight
On October 26, 2025, Riyadh Air celebrated a significant achievement by completing its inaugural passenger flight from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The aircraft on this historic flight was a Boeing 787-9 leased from Oman Air, carrying staff from both Riyadh Air and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Edward O’Byrne, CEO of AviLease, remarked on the importance of this agreement: “This agreement is an important milestone for AviLease. We are continuing to build our investment-grade leasing platform to compete at the top of the industry globally. Yet, we are also very clear on our role in helping build up the Saudi aviation ecosystem. As such, I am really glad that we can witness the launch of such a key new carrier for the Kingdom.”
الحمدلله على السلامة
وصلت اليوم أولى رحلاتنا الافتتاحية إلى لندن، في خطوة جديدة ضمن مسارنا نحو الانطلاق من الرياض إلى العالم والوصول لأكثر من 100 وجهة بحلول عام 2030 🌎#طيران_الرياض pic.twitter.com/W8WYaZs4Iq
— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) October 26, 2025
Future Plans for Riyadh Air
O’Byrne further emphasized the significance of becoming Riyadh Air’s first leasing partner, stating, “This highlights the trust placed in AviLease and reinforces our position as a strategic enabler of the Kingdom’s aviation ambitions.”
Looking ahead, Riyadh Air has made substantial aircraft orders, including 60 Airbus A321neo, 25 A350-1000, and 39 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The first official delivery is anticipated before the year concludes.
As Riyadh Air continues to make strides in the airline industry, will you be looking out for their upcoming flights and destinations? Let us know your thoughts!
