Latest news with #TheRiyalDeal
Gulf Insider
07-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Riyadh Air ‘In The Home Straight' As Boeing Ramps Up 787 Dreamliner Production
Despite ongoing global delays in aircraft manufacturing, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas expressed strong confidence in the airline's readiness for its first commercial flights by the end of 2025. Speaking on Al Arabiya English's business program The Riyal Deal, Douglas acknowledged the industry's production challenges but emphasized that Riyadh Air is making concrete progress. 'It goes without saying, as a startup we are beholden on Boeing to deliver on time — and that's of course easier said than done,' Douglas said. 'Both Boeing and Airbus have had a number of challenges with their supply chain, and there have been revisions last year to their delivery commitments.' However, Douglas was optimistic. 'The reason why we've now revealed the cabin proposition is because our aircraft are now running down the production lines in South Carolina, in Charleston, which is where Boeing assembles the 787 Dreamliner,' he explained. 'The fact that we can go and physically stand inside fuselages, our seat manufacturers are now producing — I can go and sit in those seats — is what gives us confidence we're in the home straight.' Douglas reiterated Riyadh Air's aggressive fleet ambitions, confirming that the airline's order book includes 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A320 Neos, with a third widebody aircraft set to be announced this summer. 'That's a total of 132 aircraft,' he noted. 'We'll be a three-horse stable, so to speak—320s, Dreamliners, and an extra widebody aircraft yet to be revealed.' The CEO added that Riyadh Air's cabin interiors and service proposition are being built to rival the best in the industry, with innovations such as Business Elite suites inspired by Bedouin tents, 32-inch 4K OLED screens, and Euphony audio systems embedded in the headrests. With aircraft now in production and ticket sales set to launch this summer, Douglas said the airline is on track to begin flying by the end of 2025. 'We're likely to operate from capital cities, let's say in northwestern Europe, into Riyadh—and then a turnaround on a shorter sector,' he said, noting demand for regional connections to cities such as Jeddah and Dubai. 'We've been nearly three years in the making up to now, and by the end of this year, we want to be up in the skies,' he said.
Saudi Gazette
07-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Riyadh Air ‘in the home straight' as Boeing ramps up 787 Dreamliner production
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Despite ongoing global delays in aircraft manufacturing, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas expressed strong confidence in the airline's readiness for its first commercial flights by the end of 2025. Speaking on Al Arabiya English's business program The Riyal Deal, Douglas acknowledged the industry's production challenges but emphasized that Riyadh Air is making concrete progress. 'It goes without saying, as a startup we are beholden on Boeing to deliver on time — and that's of course easier said than done,' Douglas said. 'Both Boeing and Airbus have had a number of challenges with their supply chain, and there have been revisions last year to their delivery commitments.' However, Douglas was optimistic. 'The reason why we've now revealed the cabin proposition is because our aircraft are now running down the production lines in South Carolina, in Charleston, which is where Boeing assembles the 787 Dreamliner,' he explained. 'The fact that we can go and physically stand inside fuselages, our seat manufacturers are now producing — I can go and sit in those seats — is what gives us confidence we're in the home straight.' Douglas reiterated Riyadh Air's aggressive fleet ambitions, confirming that the airline's order book includes 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A320 Neos, with a third widebody aircraft set to be announced this summer. 'That's a total of 132 aircraft,' he noted. 'We'll be a three-horse stable, so to speak—320s, Dreamliners, and an extra widebody aircraft yet to be revealed.' The CEO added that Riyadh Air's cabin interiors and service proposition are being built to rival the best in the industry, with innovations such as Business Elite suites inspired by Bedouin tents, 32-inch 4K OLED screens, and Euphony audio systems embedded in the headrests. With aircraft now in production and ticket sales set to launch this summer, Douglas said the airline is on track to begin flying by the end of 2025. 'We're likely to operate from capital cities, let's say in northwestern Europe, into Riyadh—and then a turnaround on a shorter sector,' he said, noting demand for regional connections to cities such as Jeddah and Dubai. 'We've been nearly three years in the making up to now, and by the end of this year, we want to be up in the skies,' he said.
Al Arabiya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Vision 2030 Progress Update And The Impact of Non-Oil Revenue Streams In Saudi Arabia
In this episode of The Riyal Deal with Tom Burges Watson, we deep dive into Saudi Arabia's aviation sector and how it adds value to the Kingdom's non-oil revenue streams. The Middle East Director for the IMF explains growth trajectory in the region and explores the economics beyond oil for the Kingdom. And we see why Jeddah is quickly becoming a tourist and economic hotspot – home to the Al-Balad old town and the upcoming Trump Tower.
Al Arabiya
12-04-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Kevin O'Leary on why investors are betting big on Saudi Arabia
In this debut episode of The Riyal Deal presented by Tom Burges Watson on Al Arabiya News, Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary reveals why Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest markets for global investors. We also break down US President Donald Trump's global tariffs, the EV boom, and how ACWA Power is powering Vision 2030 with green hydrogen and desalination tech. Show Guests:
