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Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air is preparing to confirm a purchase of 25 Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) A350-1000 aircraft, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The firm order is expected to be announced during next week’s Paris Air Show, marking a significant move for the startup airline backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
The order follows earlier reports suggesting the airline had been weighing a larger purchase of up to 50 jets. Meanwhile, AviLease, another PIF-backed aviation firm, is also nearing a separate agreement to acquire 40 Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) aircraft, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
Both Riyadh Air and AviLease have already committed to purchasing planes from Boeing (NYSE:BA), signaling a dual-track strategy as Saudi Arabia expands its aviation ambitions. Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) and Riyadh Air declined to provide comment on the potential deal, Reuters reported.