Saudi carrier Riyadh Air signed its first aircraft lease with Saudi-based lessor AviLease for a Boeing 787-9, with delivery for the jet currently slated for the fourth quarter of this year. The deal complements the airline's soft-launch of daily flights between King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London that began on October 26. These services are currently limited to employees and select guests to fine-tune operations ahead of the resumption of full commercial service.

The airline's lease underscores a near-term path to add lift while Riyadh Air awaits larger fleet deliveries that are already on order, a move that aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aviation goals. Together, the lease and soft launch mark tangible progress toward

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