Further detail has emerged regarding an impending widebody aircraft order by Riyadh Air (RXI, Riyadh). Bloomberg reports that the start-up has issued a request for proposal to Airbus and Boeing for up to 50 aircraft. Riyadh Air is looking at the A350-1000 and B777X but is aware it needs to act reasonably soon to secure production slots.

In mid-2024, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer Adam Boukadida told ch-aviation that the carrier was looking at 300-passenger-plus sized aircraft. If the order is placed, it will be the company's third aircraft order. In March 2023, it ordered thirty-nine B787-9s, with options for another 33, and last year it ordered sixty A321-200Ns. Bloomberg noted that up to half of the impending order may comprise options.

Riyadh Air hopes to commence operations in the third quarter of 2025. However, the carrier is yet to secure its air operator's certificate (AOC) from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation. Boeing has also cut the number of B787-9s it will deliver this year from eight to four. Riyadh Air says it expects to receive those four aircraft "later this year."