Industry SaudiGulf Airlines orders 10 A320neo Family aircraft

As owner of SaudiGulf Airlines, Al-Qahtani Aviation signed a purchase agreement for ten A320neo Family aircraft. A signing ceremony took place during the Bahrain International Airshow.

Sheikh Tariq Abdulhadi Al Qahtani, Chairman of Al-Qahtani Aviation and SaudiGulf Airlines, said: “As a premium service boutique airline we are excited to be adding the A320neo to our fleet. This expansion is in keeping with our intention to see the Saudi aviation sector continue to develop and grow in support of the Saudi Vision 2030.”

Saudi Arabia´s Vision 2030 sees SaudiGulf Airlines to hire more women and to start operating international flights. These changes were announced at the beginning of 2018. In October this year, the carrier announced to launch new international flights to four destinations in Pakistan.

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer added: “We are honoured to expand our partnership with SaudiGulf Airlines, as we are adding more A320s to our customer’s all Airbus fleet [...] The A320neo family, with its lower operating cost, greater fuel efficiency and superior passenger comfort, will surely support SaudiGulf Airlines to achieve its ambitious growth plans.”

Currently, SaudiGulf Airlines operates a fleet of four Airbus A320ceo aircraft. The carrier has its operational hub located in Dammam. In 2016, the carrier commenced operations within the kingdom. After Saudia and Flynas, SaudiGulf has become the country´s third international carrier.

From Dammam, SaudiGulf Airlines operates flights to the Saudi Arabian destinations Abha, Jeddah and Riyadh. Moreover, the carrier serves Dubai in the UAE and Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Sialkot in Pakistan.

Direct competitor Flynas has taken delivery of Saudi Arabia´s first A320neo this week. The aircraft, registered as HZ-NS22, was delivered from Toulouse, France to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.