Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, has unveiled the first of two livery designs. Bold, modern, and distinct, Riyah Air affirms its livery is “a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance.”
We are delighted to unveil the first of two #RiyadhAir livery designs, a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance.
— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) June 4, 2023
The #FutureTakesFlight#aPIFCompany pic.twitter.com/CxLeV45IJD
The livery is being presented on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The carrier has 39 confirmed orders of the aircraft type and options for an additional 33. This agreement is set to be part of the fifth largest commercial order, by value, in Boeing’s history. The deal is expected to support nearly 100,000 jobs and over 300 suppliers from across 38 states.
The new world-class airline, presented on the past March 12th by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), aims to lead the aviation industry by transforming Saudi Arabia, given its unique strategic location, into a global aviation and trade hub. It is a part of the country’s Vision 2030 investment plan.
(Riyadh Air) 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.
Riyadh Air
Based in the capital and owned by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, Riyadh Air aims to “launch flights to more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030,” the official SPA agency said.
1. Design and look
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, Tony Douglas, attention to detail and innovation is at the heart of the recent airline. The presentation of the company’s first livery, with a multitude of daring, yet elegant, elements has come to attest exactly for that.
Riyadh Air will be a digitally native airline, driven by a pioneering spirit with an obsessive focus on attention to detail and innovation at its heart. We aim to permanently transcend our guests’ perceptions and experiences of flying in the modern world.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer
Aware of the importance a visual impression has on customers, Riyadh is betting on an aircraft look that is memorable and stands out, far from the typical white fuselage adopted by most airlines.
Immediately after the cockpit, “RIYADH AIR” is written in large bold white letters across the aircrafts’ body and their logo is present on the tail and engines.
2. Color Scheme
As of this past Sunday, June 4th, Riyadh Air has presented its promise to fill the sky with undistinguishable lavender and indigo blue. Lavender is native to Saudi Arabia, a symbol of Saudi’s generosity, authentic hospitality, and identity of the Kingdom. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the color chosen by the Government for ceremonial and official purposes would be at the center of the carrier’s color scheme. As for the indigo that covers the body of the aircraft, it evokes the shades of indigo of Riyadh’s sky at dusk.
3. Logo
The logo is inspired by an airplane window, as Riyadh Air intends “to serve as Saudi Arabia’s window to the world.” The stylized letter “R”, conjuring the elegant curves of Arabic calligraphy, is designed to evoke the movement of birds’ wings in flight.
Riyadh Air plans to begin commercial operations in early 2025, jumping in the pond to compete with rivals like Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, and their respective hubs.
