Big Order: Saudia Group Signs Purchase Agreement For 105 Airbus A320neo Jets

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has increased its focus on the country’s tourism sector. In March 2023, Riyadh Air placed a big widebody order. Now, the Saudia Group, comprising Saudia and Flyadeal has placed a new order. This time, the group has ordered 105 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

Saudia Group Places Follow-Up Airbus Order

At the Future Aviation Forum held in Riyadh, Saudia Group has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus to acquire 105 more A320neo family aircraft. This agreement includes 12 A320neo and 93 A321neo jets. The order was announced in the presence of key dignitaries from Saudia Group and Airbus. This includes:

• H.E. Saleh bin Nasser AIJasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group and
• Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

With this, the backlog of Saudia Airlines has now increased from 39 to 144 narrowbody aircraft. This order has been placed in alignment with the country’s “Vision 2030” plan. With these new aircraft, Saudia and its Low-Cost subsidiary will launch more destinations and increase services to current ones.

Order Aligns With Vision 2030

H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group mentioned that the airline is aiming to meet the increasing demand by boosting the number of flights and seat capacity across its network, which includes more than a hundred destinations across four continents. The airline further wants to expand in the already established markets. Recently, we reported about the airline’s intention to relaunch services to Kozhikode.

The Vision 2030 plan of Saudi Arabia aims to attract more visitors, tourists, entrepreneurs, and pilgrims. To meet this increasing demand, Saudia placed this order with Airbus. It is expected to create more jobs and contribute to the national economy.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, the Exec VP of Sales for the Commercial Aircraft at Airbus said that this new order will aid the ambitions of Saudi Arabia to enhance tourism. He lauded the efficiency and economics of the Airbus A320neo, citing it as the best aircraft for Saudia to advance the aviation sector of the Kingdom.

By 2030, the country is aiming to have 150 million annual tourists. This order, clubbed with the huge Boeing 787 order from Riyadh Air is expected to bolster the Kingdom’s goal of becoming one of the top global tourism destinations.

In March 2023, Riyadh Air had placed a firm order for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with 33 options. Before this order, Saudia placed an order for 30 A320neo jets in 2021. In 2017, it ordered 17 aircraft.

Saudia and Airbus Narrowbody Fleet

Both airlines under Saudia Group operate the Airbus narrowbody aircraft. Full-Service Carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines operates a fleet of 37 A320 and 22 A321s. All A320s of Saudia are older-generation jets. Out of the A321 fleet, 15 are older version jets, while the remaining seven are A321neos. As per data from flight tracking sites, 1 A320 and 2 A321ceos of Saudia are parked and not operational.

The Low-Cost Subsidiary Flyadeal operates a fleet of 32 Airbus A320s, including 11 A320ceo and 21 A320neos. As per data from planespotters.net, 1 A320neo of Flyadeal is currently not operational.

A320neos will act as a perfect aircraft for Saudia Airlines to restructure its medium-haul network. With 50% noise reduction and 20% fuel savings, this aircraft is capable of operating with up to 50% blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By 2030, Airbus aims to operate all its aircraft with 100% SAF.

Conclusion

Saudia Airlines has placed an order for 105 Airbus A320neo jets. This new order includes 12 A320neos and 93 A321neos. With this, the total backlog of Airbus to Saudia has increased to 144 A320neo family aircraft. The deal was signed at the Future Aviation Forum held in Riyadh.

What do you think about this order from Saudia Airlines? Discuss in the comment section.