Saudi Arabian carrier Flyadeal has tentatively agreed to order 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets, and place options on a further 20.
Flyadeal is the low-cost arm of flag-carrier Saudia, and initially commenced services with Airbus A320s last year. It has since expanded to a fleet of around a dozen of the type.
Its chief executive, Con Korfiatis, told FlightGlobal earlier this year that the airline was preparing to select either the A320neo or 737 Max as the basis for a 50-strong order.
While the carrier is an A320 operator, Boeing says it has reached a $5.9 billion agreement with Flyadeal to supply the 737 Max.
Boeing states that the commitment is subject to finalisation.
Saudia director general Saleh bin Naser Al-Jasser says Flyadeal has been “received very positively” since its launch.
He says the carrier is set to expand “rapidly” and the new fleet will enable it to broaden its presence in the domestic Saudi market as well as internationally.
Boeing points out that the Max 8 has capacity for 189 passengers in a single-class configuration. The aircraft are exclusively powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
