Riyadh Air (RXI, Riyadh) is gearing up to accept its first aircraft, a B787-9, which it plans to use as a technical spare and for training. In a January 9, 2025, statement, the start-up said the leased aircraft was due to arrive in Riyadh shortly and is separate from the March 2023 widebody order placed with Boeing.

ch-aviation research reveals that the aircraft has been registered in Saudi Arabia as HZ-RXX (msn 38892). The 7.8-year-old jet was formerly registered as A4O-SD and, until recently, flew for Oman Air (WY, Muscat). Riyadh Air leases the aircraft from Park Aerospace Holdings, the owner, and Avolon, which manages the B787. It ferried to Abu Dhabi International on December 16, 2024, still under its Omanese registration. It remains parked at the Emirati airport.

"The opportunity to lease this plane demonstrates the innovative nature of Riyadh Air to create solutions," the airline's statement reads.

Riyadh Air hopes to commence operations later in 2025. However, the carrier is yet to secure its air operator's certificate (AOC) from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation, although issuance is expected shortly.