PARIS — Riyadh Air, a startup airline backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, has placed an order for 60 Airbus aircraft, as announced by the European aerospace company on Wednesday.

Riyadh Air intends to commence passenger flights in the upcoming summer and has specifically ordered 60 A321neo aircraft, which are part of the popular A320neo family, according to a company statement.

This initiative of launching Riyadh Air is a component of a larger plan by Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy, which has been heavily reliant on oil, and enhance its tourism sector. The Kingdom aims to position itself as a premier global aviation center, targeting the attraction of 100 million visitors annually by the year 2030.

CEO Tony Douglas of Riyadh Air emphasized the significance of this agreement, noting it would yield substantial economic benefits on both a local and global level, thereby supporting the rapidly expanding aviation landscape in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, Riyadh Air recently partnered with Delta Air Lines, with plans to operate flights connecting the United States and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, in March of the previous year, Riyadh Air and the national airline, Saudia, jointly announced an order for 78 jets from Boeing, with options for an additional 43 aircraft.