Riyadh Air Open to Buying Boeing Jets Blocked from China Amid Trade Tensions

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said Monday that the Saudi startup is ready to purchase Boeing (NYSE:BA) jets initially destined for Chinese airlines if escalating U.S.-China trade tensions block deliveries. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market conference, Douglas told Reuters, "Should that ever happen — and the keyword is should — we’ll happily take them all."

Boeing recently flagged potential resales of planes to analysts after repatriating a third jet amid growing political friction, with President Donald Trump criticizing China’s stance. Boeing executives noted there would be no shortage of buyers in the tight global aircraft market.

Riyadh Air, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has already placed major orders with both Boeing and Airbus. In March 2023, it ordered up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and later secured 60 Airbus A321-family jets in October. Despite industry-wide supply chain issues, Douglas said the carrier does not expect delivery delays to be quickly resolved.

Douglas added that travel demand to and from Riyadh remains strong despite global economic uncertainty. He also revealed that Riyadh Air plans to announce a new wide-body aircraft order this summer as it prepares for its launch in the fourth quarter of 2025. The airline has hired 500 employees and aims to double its workforce within the next 9 to 12 months, with pilot and cabin crew recruitment ramping up alongside aircraft deliveries.