Riyadh Air, the ambitious new Saudi long-haul carrier, is reportedly close to converting most of its options on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into firm orders. According to industry sources cited by Reuters, the airline is studying the purchase of 25 to 30 additional 787-9s by exercising the majority of its contractual options. An announcement could come as early as the Farnborough International Airshow, which opens on July 20 in the United Kingdom, though details are still under discussion. Both Riyadh Air and Boeing have declined to comment on the reports. This potential order builds on Riyadh Air's initial 2023 commitment for 39 Boeing 787-9s, accompanied by options for 33 more. Converting 25 to 30 of those options would bring the carrier's firm orders to between 64 and 69 aircraft, leaving a handful of options still available for future expansion. The deal is part of a broader Saudi mega-order for the 787, encompassing up to 121 aircraft for Riyadh Air and Saudia, which Boeing has described as one of the five largest commercial aircraft orders in its history. Beyond Boeing, Riyadh Air has already placed orders for 25 Airbus A350-1000s and up to 120 A321neos (60 firm plus 60 options), underscoring the scale of its mixed widebody and narrowbody fleet strategy. The carrier is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to boost annual passenger traffic to 330 million and attract 100 million visitors, with Riyadh positioned as a hub rivaling Dubai and Doha. Converting the 787 options is a logical step to secure the long-haul capacity needed for this ambitious vision. For ATPL and ATC students, this development highlights the rapid growth of Middle Eastern aviation and the increasing demand for pilots and controllers trained on modern widebody aircraft like the 787. Understanding fleet planning decisions and their impact on route networks and airspace management is crucial for future aviation professionals.