Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleSaudi Arabia is set to order Airbus jets to boost its aviation sector, with AviLease and Riyadh Air considering significant purchases.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia is set to place orders for billions of dollars of Airbus jets as the kingdom balances suppliers in its quest to match the aviation growth of Gulf neighbours, industry sources said.
Leasing company AviLease, which placed an order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets during a visit to the region this month by U.S. President Donald Trump, could place a comparable order for Airbus A320neo jets at next month’s Paris Airshow, they said.
The fast-growing company, which aims to be one of the world’s top lessors, is also potentially interested in Airbus A350 freighters, they added.
Barring a problem in negotiations, startup airline Riyadh Air appears poised to select the Airbus A350 over Boeing’s delayed 777X, they said.
The possible Riyadh Air A350 deal, which Bloomberg earlier reported could involve 50 jets, would also be announced at one of this year’s trade shows.
Airbus declined comment. AviLease was not immediately available.
Riyadh Air reiterated it was studying an order for large wide-body planes. “A decision will be made in the coming months,” a spokesperson added.
(Reporting By Tim Hepher and Allison Lampert;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Saudi Arabia is set to place orders for Airbus jets, including the A320neo and A350 models, as part of its aviation growth strategy.
Leasing company AviLease is considering placing an order for Airbus A320neo jets and potentially Airbus A350 freighters.
Riyadh Air is poised to select the Airbus A350 over Boeing's delayed 777X, with a possible deal involving 50 jets expected to be announced soon.
Riyadh Air has stated that a decision regarding its order for large wide-body planes will be made in the coming months.
Airbus declined to comment on the potential orders, and AviLease was not immediately available for comment.
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