Dubai Airshow, United Arab Emirates, November 20^th 2025 

Safran Landing Systems and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest national airline, have announced today the signing of a long-term agreement for the supply of wheels and advanced electric carbon brakes to equip Riyadh Air’s future fleet of more than 70 Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

A key factor in Riyadh Air’s selection was the weight advantage of Safran Landing Systems’ solutions. This is a significant lever for optimizing aircraft performance in the high-altitude conditions of King Khaled International Airport. Indeed, brakes must absorb more kinetic energy during landings at high altitude because the air is less dense, which increases the landing speed. Additionally, light brakes enable also to reduce fuel consumption and operating costs. 

As part of this agreement, Safran Landing Systems will also provide its latest Boeing 787 Electrical Brake Tester, support Riyadh Air’s repair capability development, and train repair engineers, supporting long-term airline performance and the growth of Saudi Kingdom’s Aviation Ecosystem.

Jean-Michel Hillion, Wheels & Brakes Division EVP, Safran Landing Systems: “We are honored to begin this major partnership with Riyadh Air and to support their growing activity with our cutting-edge electric and carbon technology. Riyadh Air and Safran Landing Systems share the same commitment to safety, efficiency, innovation and sustainability. We are proud of the confidence that Riyadh Air shows in our expertise and our ability to meet the most demanding operational requirements. It also gives us the opportunity to strengthen our presence in the Middle East region and our position as preferred solution on the Boeing 787, with currently 800 Dreamliners equipped by Safran Landing Systems.”

As the world’s first electric brake, the Boeing 787’s brake invented by Safran Landing Systems highly facilitates maintenance operations. “Plug and play”, it also allows real-time assessment of carbon disk wear, increasing fleet availability by reducing maintenance time.

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of €27.3 billion in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or European leadership positions in its core markets.  Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part

Source: Safran