Riyadh Air, a young Saudi airline, has unveiled images of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a new livery featuring indigo and lavender. The aircraft, recently painted in Charleston, South Carolina, is set to be delivered soon and represents a significant development for the airline. Currently, Riyadh Air operates ten aircraft serving fifteen destinations. The indigo and lavender livery was first shown in June 2023 during events in Riyadh and at the Paris Air Show. Unlike earlier aircraft used for promotional purposes, this one will be part of Riyadh Air's commercial fleet. The aircraft's registration, HZ-RXAK, was revealed in social media posts by the company. While indigo will be a key feature of the airline's branding, it will not be the dominant color on most aircraft. Approximately one in ten planes will feature this design, with the majority retaining the pearlescent white livery chosen at the airline's launch. The design includes elements inspired by spring flowers in Saudi deserts and Arabic calligraphy. Additionally, the shapes on the rear of the fuselage were said to reflect the movement of traditional desert tents. Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, expressed pride in seeing the first indigo-painted aircraft leave the painting facility. He noted that the livery, inspired by spring desert blooms and Arabic calligraphy, aims to give the airline a strong visual presence at airports worldwide. The design made its public debut on June 12, 2023, during a flyover of Riyadh and was later displayed at the 54th Paris Air Show. However, the aircraft shown there was not meant for regular service and has since joined another airline. The 787-9 now in Charleston is the first production example of Riyadh Air to bear the indigo livery. Riyadh Air officially began its commercial operations in June 2026, following the arrival of its first 787-9. Since then, it has expanded its network across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The airline's website lists several destinations it plans to serve during the summer of 2026, including Dubai, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Bangkok, Manila, Manchester, and Madrid. The Boeing 787-9 is central to Riyadh Air's growth strategy. When the airline was established in March 2023, it ordered 72 Dreamliner 787-9 aircraft. As of now, the company has 39 confirmed 787-9s with 33 more on order, and it has also committed to acquiring Airbus A350-1000 and A321neo aircraft. Riyadh Air aims to have a modern fleet of 182 aircraft and connect over 100 destinations by 2030. In less than four months since its commercial launch, the airline has reached ten aircraft and fifteen destinations, reflecting its rapid expansion. "With our pearlescent livery, it reflects a modern and assertive Saudi identity, and marks an important new milestone," said Tony Douglas.