Riyadh Air likely to buy 100 Boeing 737 Max jets: Bloomberg

Riyadh Air, the new Saudi Arabian airline launched by Public Investment Fund, is close to an order for as many as 100 Boeing 737 Max jets, said a Bloomberg report. The new carrier aims to add short-haul aircraft to its line-up, according to people familiar with the matter, the report said. The carrier is considering placing a firm orders for 50 jets along with a similar number of options at the Dubai Air Show that begins on Monday, said the people, asking not to be named as the discussions are confidential. Final discussions are ongoing, and the number could change slightly, the people said. In May, Bloomberg reported that US aerospace powerhouse Boeing was courting the Saudi airline for a 150-strong 737 MAX order, taking advantage of Airbus' growing A321neo backlog limiting deliveries before 2029. If selected, the roughly $8b order may boost Boeing's balance sheet following setbacks to its 737 MAX and 787 programs.<br/>