Saudia Transports Retired Boeing 777s for Tourist Attraction
Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has recently transported three of its retired Boeing 777 aircraft from Jeddah Airport (JED) to Riyadh, where they will become part of a new tourist attraction called “Boulevard Runway.” The aircraft are being stripped of any remaining useful parts, with the fuselages set to feature in the upcoming destination.
Rather than flying the short distance between the two cities, the three widebody aircraft were transported by road, making for an unusual sight. The 530-mile (850 km) journey from Jeddah to Riyadh was completed with the help of oversized trucks that carried the nearly complete fuselages on their trailers. Images shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show the aircraft being lifted by cranes onto the trucks, with wings, tails, and stabilizers removed.
The three Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, once capable of carrying 341 passengers in three-class cabins, had served Saudia for many years before being retired. The first aircraft, registered HZ-AKG, is 26.6 years old and was delivered to Saudia in March 1998. It was withdrawn from service in September 2016 and had been in storage at Jeddah Airport until its recent relocation.
The second plane, registered HZ-AKK, is 26.1 years old. Delivered to the airline in September 1998, it also served for 18 years before being retired in September 2016.
The final aircraft, HZ-AKP, is 25.6 years old and was delivered to Saudia in March 1999. This aircraft was in active service until June 2017, making it the last of the trio to be retired from the carrier’s fleet.
As part of their transformation into the Boulevard Runway attraction, the aircraft will be repurposed and showcased as part of a tourist destination in Riyadh. The planes were replaced in Saudia’s active fleet by larger Boeing 777-300ERs, of which the airline operates 37, as well as more modern Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners.
The unusual transportation of these aircraft by road captured the attention of many on social media, as images showed the large fuselages carefully maneuvered through the streets en route to their final resting place. The transportation project is just one part of Saudia’s continued efforts to modernize its fleet while finding innovative ways to repurpose retired aircraft.
Boulevard Runway is expected to be a significant attraction in Riyadh, offering a unique aviation-themed experience for visitors. This initiative highlights how Saudia is both upgrading its fleet and contributing to the Kingdom’s tourism goals by creating engaging attractions that preserve a part of its aviation history.
As Saudia continues to phase out older aircraft, including the 777-200ERs, it remains committed to operating newer, more fuel-efficient models like the Boeing 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliners, ensuring its passengers enjoy state-of-the-art services while also embracing sustainability and innovation.