Riyadh Air is preparing to launch its Boeing 787-9 service, having conducted international test flights and secured an operational license for its 787-9 simulator. According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft, registered as HZ-RXX, has recently completed several test flights across the Middle East. These included flights from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport on January 18, January 20, and January 27.
The aircraft had been stationed in Riyadh since December 16, 2024. Previously registered as A40-SD and operated by Oman Air, it is owned by Park Aerospace Holdings and managed by Avolon. The plane also flew a round trip from Riyadh to Istanbul Airport on January 23.
Despite the excitement surrounding Riyadh Air’s plans over the past year, the airline has faced challenges due to Boeing’s delivery delays. Bloomberg reported that only four of the planned eight Boeing 787-9s will be delivered in 2025. Consequently, Riyadh Air’s launch date has shifted from early 2025 to Q3. The ex-Oman Air aircraft will serve as a technical spare without interior upgrades.
In 2024, Boeing delivered a total of 51 Dreamliners but encountered issues with heat exchangers and seat supplies affecting production. David Calhoun, former CEO of Boeing, explained during an earnings call that these constraints were being addressed with plans for alignment by Q4 2024.
On January 27, Riyadh Air announced that its first advanced flight simulator received an operational license from the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Peter Bellew, COO of Riyadh Air, stated that this milestone highlights the airline’s commitment to pilot training and operational excellence.
“The simulator is a critical addition to Riyadh Air’s expanding training infrastructure,” Bellew noted. It aims to enhance pilot readiness and elevate safety benchmarks while aligning with Riyadh Air’s ambition to redefine aviation standards.
