Riyadh Air stated during this week’s Saudi Airports Exhibition 2023 (SAE2023) on December 19 that their airline will require 20,000 employees by 2030.
During the second session of the Global Aviation Issues conference, Peter Bellew, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Riyadh Air, was answering a question from an audience member. He stated that by 2030, Riyadh Air will require 20,000 employees.
This will probably align with their expansion strategies, which aim to link Riyadh not only with the Kingdom‘s other key centers but also with 100 destinations worldwide.
As part of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air has so far placed an order for 39 firm orders and 33 options for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with a potential final total of up to 72 frames.
In addition, it has been confirmed at past press conferences and events that Riyadh Air plans to order narrowbody aircraft. Exactly which aircraft will be ordered is still unknown, but this will undoubtedly support Peter Bellew’s statement that 20,000 workers will be needed by 2030 or earlier.
Furthermore, Peter Bellew had noted that Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) has a high slot constraint during the same meeting. When Riyadh Air starts offering commercial services at the airport in 2025, it will be fascinating to observe what adjustments are made.