Riyadh Air is keeping close watch on a possible opportunity to acquire Boeing jets originally intended for Chinese airlines. This interest follows reports that Chinese carriers have halted deliveries from the U.S. manufacturer due to tensions in trade relations between China and the United States.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, shared in an interview with Reuters on April 28 that the airline is open to taking over the aircraft if the chance presents itself. “What we’ve done,” he explained, “is made it quite clear to Boeing, should that ever happen, and the keyword there is should, we’ll happily take them all.”
Douglas also spoke with Bloomberg that same day and addressed whether tariffs are having an effect on the sector. He said there is no direct impact right now and no clear signs of the current trade conditions altering cost structures. The biggest financial pressure on airlines continues to be the high price of jet fuel. Still, he warned that the situation with tariffs remains unpredictable and can shift quickly.
Boeing adjusts plans as Riyadh Air monitors developments
Boeing’s own leadership remains hopeful that aircraft deliveries to Chinese customers will resume. During an interview with CNBC, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed the company still intends to proceed with sending aircraft to China. “There are plenty of customers out there looking for MAX aircraft,” Ortberg stated. However, if those orders fall through, Boeing is prepared to offer the planes to other airlines.
Ortberg also mentioned that the company had expected to deliver around 50 aircraft to China in 2025, reflecting the scale of the affected orders. His comments follow Beijing’s instruction to Chinese airlines to stop taking deliveries of aircraft from Boeing, a move that has attracted interest from several non-Chinese carriers.
Riyadh Air prepares for expansion ahead of launch
Riyadh Air, which is based in Saudi Arabia and recently secured its air operator’s certificate, currently has one Boeing 787-9 in use for testing purposes. It also has 39 more of the same type on order. These aircraft are scheduled to begin operations during the fourth quarter of 2025, which will mark the airline’s official launch. Alongside this, the company expects to receive 60 Airbus A321neos.
The carrier also has further plans under review. Douglas revealed that the airline is in the process of considering a new order for widebody jets. He noted that the airline is looking at larger aircraft and that the order could be confirmed during the summer months.
Riyadh Air’s long-term strategy involves operating a fleet with three different aircraft types. These plans are part of its wider goal to position itself strongly in the market from its first day of service.
Riyadh Air is closely observing the evolving situation between China and Boeing with a view to acquiring any available aircraft. The airline is actively preparing its fleet and exploring future orders ahead of a planned service launch by the end of 2025.
