The Saudi Arabia Group, which owns Saudi Airlines and the low-cost carrier Flyadeal, announced plans to significantly expand its fleet. The group is nearing a deal to purchase 100 narrow-body aircraft and is seeking approval from the manufacturer for an additional 50 or more.
Manufacturer and Supply Chain Issues
Abdullah Al-Shahrani, the Director of Communications and Media Affairs at the Saudi Arabia group, did not specify the manufacturer of the aircraft. However, he cited supply chain issues as a reason for the manufacturer’s hesitation to commit to more than 100 aircraft.
Al-Shahrani’s Statement at Dubai Air Show
In an interview at the Dubai Air Show, Al-Shahrani emphasized, “We insist on having more than 150 aircraft. We are waiting for the manufacturer to confirm they can produce over 150.”
Announcement Timeline and Allocation
Al-Shahrani added that the Saudi Group intends to announce the order before the end of the year. The aircraft will serve Saudi Airlines and Flyadeal.
Fleet Composition
Both airlines currently operate Airbus A320 family aircraft. Notably, Flyadeal decided in 2019 not to proceed with an order for Boeing 737 MAX planes.
Riyadh Air’s Upcoming Order
Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Riyadh Air, also announced plans to place a “significant” order for narrow-body aircraft in the coming weeks, though they too refrained from naming the manufacturer.
Vision 2030 and Aviation Expansion
This expansion is part of the state-owned Saudi Airlines’ rapid growth plan over the next seven years, aligning with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. This plan aims to diversify income sources and reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil.
Unaffected by Regional Conflict
Despite flight cancellations across the Middle East due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Al-Shahrani stated that this has not impacted Saudi Airlines and that there is no concern about future business effects.
