Saudia Group Signs Largest Aircraft Order in Saudi Aviation History

Saudi Group announced the largest aircraft deal in Saudi aviation history with Airbus during the first day of the Future Aviation Forum 2024 held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This landmark agreement encompasses 105 confirmed aircraft and marks a significant moment not only for the Saudi aviation industry but also for the wider MENA region. The ceremony, in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, was attended by dignitaries, country ambassadors, and key figures from the global aviation sector, as well as a multitude of media representatives and industry experts specializing in travel, aviation, and transportation.

The deal, signed by H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al Omar, the Director General of Saudia Group, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft Business, includes A320neo and A321neo models. These aircraft will be distributed between Saudia and flyadeal, the group’s low-cost carrier. Saudia will acquire 54 A321neo aircraft, while flyadeal will receive 12 A320neo and 39 A321neo aircraft.

The new aircraft directly support Saudia Group’s objectives to connect the world with the Kingdom, aligning with several key pillars of Saudi Vision 2030. These include the transportation and logistics objective to increase guests’ capacity to 330 million and expand destinations to 250 by 2030, and the tourism objective to attract 150 million visits by 2030.  This is in addition to the Hajj and Umrah objective to contribute to the increase of Umrah pilgrim capacity to 30 million by 2030.

These modern aircraft boast a spacious cabin with a stylish interior design. They’re equipped with the latest amenities and technology, ensuring a truly differentiated travel experience that prioritizes Saudia guests’ comfort and privacy whilst delivering an exceptional service. Furthermore, the A320 family aircraft are fuel efficient as it emits 20%  less fuel burn and carbon emissions compare to previous generation aircraft.

To ensure the new aircraft are always in top condition, Saudia Technic, the group’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) arm, will provide comprehensive maintenance services.  This will prove even more crucial with the upcoming completion of the MRO Village at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, significantly increasing the company’s service capacity.

H.E. Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, said: “The aviation sector is grateful for the tremendous support provided by the country’s leadership. This agreement is one of the enablers of achieving the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. It will contribute to enhancing the operational performance of Saudia, increasing flights and seat capacity, and launching new destinations. Furthermore, it aims to connect the world to the Kingdom in line with the significant transformation witnessed by the aviation sector under Saudi Vision 2030, while also reaffirming our commitment to providing the best services that enhance the travel experience.

H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “Saudia has ambitious operational objectives to meet growing demand. We are increasing flights and seat capacity across our existing 100+ destinations on four continents, with plans for further expansion. The progress of Saudi Vision 2030 is attracting more visits, tourists, entrepreneurs, and pilgrims each year. This motivated our decision to secure this significant deal, which will create jobs, increase local content, and contribute to the national economy.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business said: “The new additions of the A320neo family aircraft will play a vital role in contributing to Saudi Arabia’ ambitious Vision 2030 plan. It will enable Saudia Group’s strategy to  advance the Kingdom’s aviation capabilities while enabling both airlines to benefit from the A320neo Family’s exceptional efficiency, superior economics, highest level of passenger comfort as well as lower fuel-burn and emissions.

The ceremony marked a new chapter for Saudia, unveiling their largest investment ever in guest experience. This includes a first-of-its-kind AI-powered “Travel Companion”, to support guests through trip planning to after sales support. Business class cabins will be transformed into luxurious, privacy-focused suites that convert into flat beds, progressively rolling out across both existing and new fleets. Guests can also stay connected with high speed in-flight connectivity and enjoy unparalleled entertainment with the highest-definition screens soon to be on board.

Source: Saudia Group

Related Posts

Saudia Group Orders 105 Airbus A320neo Aircraft to Support Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Goals

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 20 May 2024 – Saudia Group, represented by Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and flyadeal, the group’s low-cost carrier, has signed a firm order for an additional 105 A320neo Family aircraft. The order comprises 12 A320neo and 93 A321neo aircraft. This increases Saudia Group’s Airbus aircraft order backlog to 144 A320neo family aircraft.

The agreement was announced at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh in the presence of 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.

H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “Saudia has ambitious operational objectives to meet growing demand. We are increasing flights and seat capacity across our existing 100+ destinations on four continents, with plans for further expansion. The progress of Saudi Vision 2030 is attracting more visits, tourists, entrepreneurs, and pilgrims each year. This motivated our decision to secure this significant deal, which will create jobs, increase local content, and contribute to the national economy.

The new additions of the A320neo family aircraft will play a vital role in contributing to Saudi Arabia’ ambitious Vision 2030 plan,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “It will enable Saudia Group’s strategy to advance the Kingdom’s aviation capabilities while enabling both airlines to benefit from the A320neo Family’s exceptional efficiency, superior economics, highest level of passenger comfort as well as lower fuel-burn and emissions.

Saudi Arabia is creating unprecedented opportunities for global aviation through the Saudi National Tourism Strategy, which targets more than 150 million tourists by 2030. This order with Airbus will play a significant role in strengthening the Kingdom’s ambition of becoming one of the top global tourism destinations.

The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single aisle aircraft having won over 18,000 orders from over 300 customers in all markets. The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50% noise reduction and at least 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. As with all Airbus aircraft, the entire A320 Family is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.

Source: Airbus

Related Posts

New Brazilian Operator, Avion Express Brasil, to Commence ACMI Operations in Q4 2024

Avion Express Brasil, part of Avia Solutions Group – the world’s largest ACMI operator, announced the start of the Phase 3 of the certification process for its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) in Brazil. Recently the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) approved the finalization of Phase 2 of the certification process.

In the coming weeks, Avion Express Brasil is expected to receive feedback on its manuals and other documentation already submitted to ANAC. This is anticipated to lead to the successful conclusion of Phase 3 and the completion of the AOC certification process this year, allowing the airline to commence ACMI operations in Q4 2024.

Counting 19 years in operations, Avion Express, an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) airline, has two AOCs – as issued by Lithuania and Malta. The airline has undertaken an ambitious expansion project to strengthen its presence in the Latin American market with its subsidiary in Brazil, following recent collaborations with airline partners in other countries of the region, including Mexico, Chile, and Dominican Republic.

Darius Kajokas, Avion Express CEO, highlights the company’s strategic intent to expand its global presence. He states, “Avion Express has firmly established itself in Europe, and to make sure we continue growing, our strategic focus in past several years extends to other markets, including The Americas, Asia, Africa, and other regions. ACMI would be rather novel business model in the Brazilian market, which has more than 100 million passengers per annum. Avion Express Brasil aims to commence operations with up to 10 aircraft, with plans to scale up to 25 aircraft by 2027/2028.

Specializing in narrow-body ACMI operations, Avion Express now operates a fleet of over 50 Airbus A320 family aircraft. Customer airlines of Avion Express include Air France-KLM Group airlines, British Airways Group airlines, Lufthansa Group airlines, SKY Airline, SunExpress, TUI, VivaAerobus, Wizzair, and many others. The company currently has a team of over 1,700 professionals and more than 17 bases globally.

Avion Express is part of Avia Solutions Group – the world’s largest ACMI service company group, which operates a fleet of 212 aircraft. Companies belonging to the group also provide a variety of other aviation services, such as aircraft repair, pilot and crew training, and ground handling.

Source: Avion Express Brasil
Photo Credit:Avion Express Brasil

Related Posts

Emirates Order Book Stands at 310 Aircraft in May 2024

Emirates, one of the leading Middle East airlines, expects the delivery of 10 new A350 aircraft in 2024-25, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said.

We enter our 2024-25 financial year on strong foundations for continued growth. Emirates will receive delivery of 10 new A350 aircraft in 2024-25, adding to our fleet mix and supporting the next phase of its network growth,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

  • Emirates total fleet count at the end of March was 260 units, with an average fleet age of 10.1 years.
  • Emirates’ order book stands at 310 aircraft, after it announced orders worth US$ 58 billion combined, for 110 additional units of Boeing 777s, 787s, and Airbus A350s at the 2023 Dubai Airshow.

These new generation widebody aircraft will replace older jets and support fleet growth, aligning with the airline’s long-standing commitment to fly modern aircraft that are efficient to operate, and able to offer customers the latest inflight comforts and experiences.

At the end of 2023-24, Emirates’ SkyCargo’s total freighter fleet stood at 11 Boeing 777Fs. The cargo division expects delivery of its 5 additional Boeing 777Fs on order from mid-2024.

Source: Emirates
Photo Credit: Emirates

Related Posts

World’s Largest ACMI Provider and Aviation Conglomerate Avia Solutions Group Records 2023 EBITDA of EUR 392 Million

Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services and owner of global pilot training group BAA Training, announced its audited financial results for 2023, reporting a net profit increase of 5.5 times to EUR 68.2 million, adjusted EBITDA up by 36% to EUR 392 million, and revenues rising by 22% to EUR 2.3 billion. The company generated the most revenue in Europe (67%), Asia (20%), and North and South America (6%).

Last year, the Group continued to invest in its fleet, expanding it by 27 aircraft to a total of 200, including 159 passenger and 41 cargo aircraft by the end of the year.

In 2023, the Group’s revenues from passenger aircraft ACMI services increased by 53%, reaching EUR 950 million. According to Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group, the significant increase in volumes indicates that many of the world’s leading airlines view ACMI services as an integral part of their operations, helping to manage their fleets more efficiently. The situation in the passenger aircraft market ensures that the Group will maintain high growth rates in the future.

Last year, Avia Solutions Group continued its expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, starting operations with BBN Airlines Indonesia and acquiring the Australian airline Skytrans at the beginning of 2024. By the end of 2024, the company plans to establish four more ACMI airlines in Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The company is preparing to further expand its aircraft fleet and maintain leading positions in the ACMI segment, where it sees a significant market need. The company’s infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific region, as well as in the Americas, will allow it to effectively manage the challenges of seasonality in aviation by shifting aircraft from one region to another.

The Group will utilise aircraft in Europe during the summer peak season, and during the winter, the planes will be relocated to regions with opposite seasonality. This will allow us to maximise the capabilities of our aircraft fleet, and our clients, the world’s leading airlines, will receive aircraft during the peak seasonal periods,” states J. Janukenas.

The American market is also a priority for the company. Recently, the company signed a cooperation agreement with Impact Investments LLC, whose executive chairman is the former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The company will provide strategic development consulting to the Group.

Avia Solutions Group, based in Ireland, has offices in Ireland, the USA, the UAE, Lithuania, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, and South Africa. The Group owns globally operating airline companies such as SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, AirExplore, KlasJet, and Magma Aviation. It also manages the aircraft maintenance and repair services (MRO) company FL Technics, which has aircraft technical maintenance and repair hangars in Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania, along with 100 operational maintenance stations in various countries. Among the Group’s companies is the largest independent pilot training center, BAA Training, with pilot schools in Spain, France, Lithuania, and Vietnam.

The Avia Solutions Group team comprises over 11,700 highly qualified aviation professionals worldwide.

Source: Avia Solutions Group
Photo Credit: Avia Solutions Group

Related Posts

Airbus Announces Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries for the Month of April 2024

In April 2024, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus:

  • Delivered 61 aircraft to 33 customers
    • 3 A220-300
    • 22 A320neo
    • 29 A321neo
    • 1 A330-900
    • 6 A350-900
  • Secured 57 orders
    • 3 A320neo
    • 53 A321neo
    • 1 A350-900
  • Year to date Airbus has delivered 203 aircraft to 52 customers.

AFM Team Note – kindly contact us for a detailed excel breakdown of orders and deliveries by airline.

See last month’s order here.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

Related Posts