Saudia Airlines, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has expressed confidence that the delivery of recently ordered Airbus jets will proceed on schedule despite recent production delays from the aircraft manufacturer. The airline, which is part of the state-owned Saudi Group, placed an order for 105 narrow-body Airbus planes in May to be divided between Saudia Airlines and its low-cost sister carrier, flydeal.
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Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management and Agreements at Saudia Airlines, reassured that the first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2026, with the deliveries continuing until 2031. "We are very comfortable with these delivery times," Eid stated, highlighting that Saudia is currently still receiving Airbus planes under a previous order. He emphasized the airline's belief in the safety of the delivery dates, indicating that they are anticipating minimal delays.
The statement was made during an event held at an Airbus factory in Hamburg to commemorate the recent plane order. Airbus has recently adjusted its production ramp-up and reduced its delivery goals, which has affected expectations for 2024 and beyond. Despite these challenges, Saudia Airlines remains optimistic about the timely delivery of its new fleet additions. This confidence in Airbus deliveries comes amidst broader discussions within Saudia Group about increasing wide-body capacity, as both Airbus and Boeing face production constraints in smaller jets. Flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudia Group, is reportedly considering an order for between 10 and 20 wide-body jets.
The order for 105 Airbus planes, which includes both A320neo and A321neo models, is a significant win for Airbus in Saudi Arabia, where Boeing has a major presence. Saudia Airlines already operates narrow-body Airbus aircraft, and this order is seen as a step towards modernizing and expanding its fleet to meet growing demand. In conclusion, despite the industry-wide challenges in aircraft production and delivery, Saudia Airlines is confident in the timely delivery of its new Airbus jets, which are expected to play a crucial role in the airline's growth and modernization plans.