Airline News
SAUDIA to order the A380 in Dubai?
October 30th 2015
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is looking at ordering A380s to replace four ageing B747s and could also purchase more current-day B777s, or the re-engined and enlarged 777X, chief Abdul Mohsen Jonaid has told Bloomberg. Read More » He added the orders could come as early as next month's Dubai Air Show.
SAUDIA also wanted more single-aisle aircraft, with the A320 and the B737 MAX in the running, the CEO said. An Airbus narrow-body order is more likely, given the carrier has 30 A320ceos. It aimed to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2020, from 119 now on order, to add flights at the new Jeddah airport, due to open in 2017. The ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone was held on Monday. It is also examining the case for establishing discount operations. SAUDIA will receive the first of eight-on-order B787-9s in December, with the first commercial flight scheduled for late January.
A low-cost start-up would compete with independent Saudi budget carrier, Flynas, in operation since 2007 and profitable for the first time this year. Flynas is in talks with Airbus and Boeing as it seeks to induct four new aircraft into its fleet every year for the next four years, according to its chief, Paul Byrne. Flynas operates 24 A320s, an A330-300 and a B747-400.
Across the border, flag carrier, Oman Air, last week confirmed 20 orders for the B737 MAX, which included six converted options and 14 new orders.
Further West, EgyptAir said on Sunday it planned to order up to 70 aircraft, including 15-20 wide-bodies, to be delivered through to 2022 for growth in Europe and Asia and replace older aircraft.
