Airlines

This Saudi Arabian airline may order 80 Boeing 787 planes.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), announced today the establishment of “Riyadh Air,” a PIF wholly owned company.

The new national carrier will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism.

According to Reuters, Boeing is ready to enter into a contract with Saudi Arabia’s newly created Riyadh airlines, and it is also offering some discounts to airline operators in anticipation of significant future demand. Riyadh Airlines is planning to purchase roughly 80 wide-body aircraft from Boeing, all of which are B787 Dreamliner. According to certain sources, Airbus is also in the midst of finalizing the A350 agreement.

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Saudi Airlines now plans to fly more than 100 destinations, which means it will require 30% narrow-body and 70% wide-body aircraft. However, no formal confirmation has been made. The trade might take place at the Paris Airshow in 2023. Boeing started delivering the Boeing 787 aircraft a few days later, as it began to focus on order backlogs and new order fulfilments.

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Riyadh Air will be chaired by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, who brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation, and logistics industries, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. The airline’s senior management will include Saudi and international expertise.

Operating from Riyadh as its hub, the airline will usher in a new era for the travel and aviation industry globally. Riyadh Air will be a world-class airline, adopting the global best sustainability and safety standards across its advanced fleet of aircraft equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology.

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The airline is expected to add USD20 billion to non-oil GDP growth and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

As a wholly owned PIF subsidiary, the new national airline is set to benefit from PIF’s investment expertise and financial capabilities while expanding on the company’s operations to become a leading national carrier.

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The new national airline represents PIF’s latest investment in the sector, along with the recently announced King Salman International Airport masterplan.

Riyadh Air aims to enhance customers’ journeys while connecting them to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030; by offering an exceptional experience with authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart.

The airline will provide tourists from around the world the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia’s cultural and natural attractions. Riyadh Air will also serve as a catalyst for the Saudi National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Tourism Strategy by increasing air transport options, raising cargo capacity, and, in turn, growing international passenger traffic.

The establishment of Riyadh Air is part of PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors that can help drive the diversification of the local economy. It will enable a more financially resilient aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, supporting the industry’s global competitiveness in line with Vision 2030.

Related Topics:Airbus AIrcraft Boeing aircraft Riyadh airlines

Airlines

KLM Begins Testing Self Driving Crew Buses at Schiphol Airport

In a significant step towards modernizing airport operations, Schiphol Airport has launched the second phase of its trial for electric self-driving buses.

This initiative, in collaboration with KLM Cityhopper and KLM Ground Services, is aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability at one of Europe’s busiest airports. Following a successful initial trial with the self-driving buses from supplier Ohmio, the new phase is now underway.

This phase focuses on deploying the autonomous buses on a fixed, pre-programmed route that connects the apron to the terminal. The primary users of this service are the KLM Cityhopper crew, who will benefit from a streamlined shuttle between their aircraft and the terminal. best cabin crew skytrax

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The trial’s first phase centered on assessing the technical capabilities and user-friendliness of the buses. Now, the focus shifts to the apron—a bustling area characterized by high activity levels, including aircraft movements and ground handling operations. The autonomous buses will navigate this complex environment multiple times a day, ferrying KLM Cityhopper crew from Apron A to the terminal.

Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and GPS, the buses are designed to handle the dynamic conditions of the apron. They feature LIDAR technology, providing a comprehensive 360-degree view that enables them to detect and avoid obstacles up to 30 meters away. This cutting-edge technology ensures safe and efficient operation in the busy airport setting.

Schiphol Airport is committed to becoming one of the world’s most sustainable and high-quality airports by 2050. A core component of this vision is the transition to a fleet of autonomous, zero-emission vehicles.

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This shift is part of a broader strategy to automate ground operations while maintaining a vital human presence in a supervisory role. By doing so, Schiphol aims to reduce emissions and enhance the overall efficiency of its operations.

The integration of self-driving buses into the airport’s daily operations represents a major milestone in achieving these sustainability goals. As the trial progresses, Schiphol, KLM Cityhopper, and KLM Ground Services will continue to evaluate and refine the technology, paving the way for a more automated and environmentally friendly future in aviation ground services.