Saudi Arabian National Airline Replaces Aging Airline Fleet

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based Saudi Arabian Airlines has recently announced in a press conference that they intend to purchase 22 new airliners. The purchase agreement also includes the rights to purchase another eight aircraft if so desired by the airline. The purchase agreement is for twenty-two Airbus A320 series aircraft. The purchase will allow Saudi Arabian Airlines to replace old aircraft and expand to more destinations around the Middle East.

Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Khalid al Holhem, had the following to say about the recently annoucnment. ""The Airbus A320 is the right aircraft for our ambitious fleet renewal plans. The aircraft combines operational efficiency as well as cabin comfort for our customers, and will enable Saudia to meet rising passenger demand and expectations."

Also speaking at the press conference was Airbus CEO John Leahy. Leahy was very excited about the purchase by Saudi Arabian Airlines, the first for Airbus in nearly twenty years. "We're delighted Saudi Arabian Airlines has decided to expand their fleet with our Airbus A320 aircraft. Saudia is one of the biggest and the longest-established airlines in the Middle East, and we hope that the contract today marks a renewed partnership for the future."

About Saudi Arabian Airlines: Saudi Arabian Airlines is one of the oldest airlines operating in the Middle East, operating since 1945. Starting with a single plane given to the airline in 1945, by then President Roosevelt of the United States, the airline has gone on to bigger and better places. Today, the airline operates with a fleet of 117 aircraft, across the Middle East, Euorpe, Asia and North America, totaling 76 worldwide destinations. Saudi Arabian Airlines is unique, in that the airline is not a company owned by shareholders, but by the royal family of Saudi Arabia. Thus, the airline operates regularly scheduled airline service, as well as governmental charter flights, and military support flights to around the world, when asked to by the royal family.

About the Airbus A320: The Airbus A320 is the staple of Airbus' narrow body airliner family, comprising of the A318, A319, A320 and A321. All feature common flight environments, engines and designs, allowing for enough familiarity for pilots to operate any of the aircraft of the family. The A320, as ordered by Saudi Arabian Airlines, was the first aircraft of the family to be offered. Today, the A320 seats up to 180 people, and will operate on routes of over 5,500 nautical miles, a very long flight for such a small aircraft.