Saudi Arabian Airlines has announced a major fleet restructuring and will acquire 50 Airbus A320s. The airline signed a MoU at the show yesterday for 30 A320s from Airbus, 22 firm orders and a further eight options. On top of that it is also taking ten on lease from GECAS and a further ten from Gulf One.
“This is the first time we’ve done business with Saudia for some time, not since they become the launch customer for the A300-600 in 1984,” said Tom Enders, Airbus president and CEO, at the signing. “We’re delighted that Saudia has chosen the A320 to become the cornerstone of its fleet modernisation programme.”
Khalid al Molhem, director general Saudi Arabian Airlines, says: “Investing in a new fleet of Airbus single-aisle aircraft enables us to benefit from an aircraft that is unquestionably right for our needs and for those of our passengers, one that combines cabin comfort with operational cost-efficiency, while enabling us to grow.”
All the A320s will be powered by CFM-56-5B engines to the latest Tech Insertion standard, it was announced at the show, and the engine component of the contract is worth $135 million.
Al Molhem adds: “The A320 will replace our MD-90s and other regional jets. It is a bigger aircraft and therefore we can do more point-to-point services. We have no desire to operate as a hub airline; we’re looking at bringing people into Saudi Arabia be it for business, tourism or even religious tourism. The new fleet will let us create additional capacity with our Boeing 777s, as these are being under-utilised on certain routes that the A320 will take.
“The A320 has a good cabin and good flexibility. Our first aircraft will be delivered is a lease aircraft in 2009, with further aircraft arriving in 2010, 2011 and the first Airbus delivery in 2014,” added al Molhem.
* Saudi Arabian has also agreed a $1.4 billion support deal with GE Aviation to support the GE90, CF6 and CF34 engines used across its fleet. Under the deal, GE will build a new facility at King Abdul Aziz airport in Saudi Arabia, and GE will support the deal for 14 years.
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Source: Flight Daily News
