A Green Pioneer: Riyadh Air's Pledge to Commercial Aviation Sustainability

Douglas outlined the Saudi airline's ambitious plans at a pre-Paris Air Show event, where he stressed on the urgent need for sustainable practices in aviation. He emphasized the particular importance of Boeing honoring their 2025 commitments despite ongoing supply chain concerns. Riyadh Air, devoid of a fallback safety net of existing aircraft or leases, is heavily dependent on Boeing delivering its order of 39 Boeing 787-9s, with options for an additional 33.

"We don't have any leases, we don't have any aircraft, and we don't have a network,” Douglas elucidated, highlighting Riyadh Air’s unique position in the airline industry. For Riyadh Air, delayed deliveries translate to stalled network expansion - a hiccup the fledgling company cannot afford.

Although not revealing too much, Douglas tantalizingly hinted at talks for a narrowbody order, rumored to include around 150 737 MAXs. These aircraft, if the speculation rings true, would ply domestic routes within Saudi Arabia and regional routes with durations under six hours.

However, amid the gritty negotiations and hardline stances, the shining beacon of Riyadh Air’s mission remains uncompromised - unwavering dedication to sustainability. Douglas emphasized that the company’s selection process for wide- and narrow-body orders is largely swayed by their environmental performance.

“We are seeing a surge in executive hiring in climate tech, especially for marketing and sales leadership. There are a number of venture backed startups addressing the carbon footprint caused by the airline industry that are currently ramping up new innovations in climate tech” continues Jeff Christian.

The new kid on the block aims to be the "absolute gold leader when it comes to commercial aviation sustainability.” According to Douglas, sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it’s the competitive edge that will separate industry winners from the losers. Those who fail to prioritize sustainability in their operations risk being left behind in the race to the future.

"Anybody who doesn't take it seriously will probably fail,” Douglas cautioned. As the world awaits Riyadh Air’s debut in early 2025, the company’s dedication to sustainability promises to be a breath of fresh air in the aviation industry.