Riyadh Air is looking to acquire Boeing aircraft rejected by Chinese airlines amid geopolitical tensions, according to CEO Tony Douglas.
Air India also says it is in discussions to acquire up to ten B737 MAX aircraft that are currently not needed by Chinese carriers.
The intended recipient for these aircraft is Air India Express, which manages a fleet of 110 aircraft, including 46 B737-8s.
If a deal is reached, the arrival of the first aircraft could occur as early as 2026, directly addressing a capacity shortfall.
Boeing is dealing with a backlog of aircraft due to tariffs imposed by the Chinese government, with 14 airlines in China holding a total of 137 orders.
Riyadh CEO Douglas pointed out that there is no current evidence linking tariffs to increased costs for airlines, with jet fuel being the primary expense.
The company currently operates one B787-9 and has ordered a total of 40 units, scheduled to enter service in late 2025.
Boeing aims to maintain its commitment to delivering aircraft to Chinese customers but is open to selling the jets to other airlines if necessary.Riyadh Air plans to introduce larger widebody jets and intends to operate a fleet consisting of multiple aircraft types by the summer
Kelly Ortberg shared, “Many of our customers in China have indicated they will not take delivery.”
