Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has committed to exercising options for 28 additional 787 Dreamliner jets from its 2023 order, including the conversion of 20 airplanes to the larger 787-10 variant. The agreement, announced on July 20, 2026, at the Farnborough Airshow, will increase the airline's firm order count to 67 aircraft. This expansion supports Riyadh Air's strategic goal to operate to over 100 global destinations by 2030, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.

The announcement includes a previously unidentified purchase of 11 widebody jets. Once the remaining 17 airplanes are finalized, the carrier's fleet composition will significantly grow. Riyadh Air has taken delivery of six 787-9 jets and currently serves six cities. The addition of the 787-10, the largest member of the Dreamliner family, will boost capacity with 50 more seats than the 787-9 while reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces.

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated that the commitment marks a significant milestone in the airline's journey towards over 100 international destinations by 2030. He noted that guests have been impressed with the experience onboard the current fleet of six Boeing 787 jets. The introduction of the 787-10 is intended to strengthen the airline's ability to accommodate growing passenger and cargo demand and provide operational flexibility.

By operating both the 787-9 and 787-10, Riyadh Air will benefit from fleet commonality. This includes shared flight deck systems, maintenance procedures, and pilot training, which are expected to deliver operational efficiencies. The 787 Dreamliner family features advanced technology designed to enhance passenger comfort, including the largest windows of any commercial airplane, higher cabin humidity, and lower cabin altitude pressurization.

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, expressed that the company is delighted to see Riyadh Air flying their new 787 airplanes in commercial service. She stated that the 787-10 will complement Riyadh Air's growing fleet and advance its mission to be a world-class airline. The expanded fleet is expected to help Riyadh Air generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute over $20 billion (SAR 75 billion) to non-oil GDP growth by 2030.

Fleet Expansion Details

As a wholly owned company of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air acts as a key catalyst for Saudi Arabia's economic diversification strategy. The airline aims to ensure Riyadh, a G20 capital city, is fully connected to 100 global destinations, realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Boeing projects a $4.9 trillion commercial aviation support and services market over the next two decades, alongside a demand for more than 2.4 million new aviation professionals through 2045. The forecast, released in the Boeing Services Market Outlook and Pilot & Technician Outlook, anticipates sustained growth in commercial aviation with demand and traffic expected to double. The industry faces production, supply chain, and workforce constraints as digitalization and sustainability reshape aviation services.

Workforce Demand and Drivers

Boeing's 2026 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) projects an industry need for approximately 674,000 pilots, 728,000 maintenance technicians, and 1,023,000 cabin crew members globally. This totals more than 2.4 million new personnel. Two-thirds of this demand will replace retiring personnel, while one-third will support fleet growth. Competency-based training and advancements in technologies are highlighted as key tools to enhance hands-on learning and address shortages.

Regional Breakdown of Demand

The following table details the projected demand for new personnel and the total services and support demand by region through 2045:

Market Trends and Strategic Focus

Key trends influencing the commercial aviation services market include efficiency initiatives focusing on aircraft lifecycle management, increased aircraft digitalization, and geographic shifts in service needs. Chris Raymond, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services, emphasized the need to digitally modernize the business and invest in skilled people to keep aircraft flying safely and efficiently. Chris Broom, Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions at Boeing Global Services, noted that immersive technologies will support Competency-Based Training and Assessment approaches to ensure high-quality aviation training.