The world’s largest aviation companies are taking part in the 53rd International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, in which Gulf aviation companies also participate as competitors through major deals. Saudi aviation companies are also in the spotlight being backed by government plans which allow them to keep pace with the Kingdom’s vision and achieve progress at air transport level.
While US giant Boeing has been suffering after the grounding of its MAX 737 aircraft in March following two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, France’s giant Airbus is expected to increase its sales.
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the Kingdom's national airline, said it ordered 65 A320neo-type aircraft from Airbus, worth more than $7.4 billion, giving an early push to the European manufacturer at the Show.
The Saudi airline plans to boost its A320neo fleet to up to 100 aircraft from 35 now. The deal includes 15 aircraft of the new A321 XLR type, capable of flying up to 8,700 kilometers (5,400 miles).
In addition to the aircraft order, the agreement included coordinating and enhancing means of cooperation to support Saudi Arabia's local content in aerospace, aeronautical engineering and aviation, strengthening local technical capabilities, training human resources and creating jobs in the sector.
Director General of Saudia Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser said that another new deal will be announced over the coming few months, including the purchase of modern, wide-bodied aircraft to implement further development and expansion plans both locally and internationally.
In January 2017, Flynas, the national Saudi carrier and leading low cost airline in the Middle East, announced adding 120, A320 Neo aircraft, to its fleet. The SR32 billion deal was considered the second largest of its kind in the Middle East.
It also signed a $8.6 billion worth deal to buy 80 Airbus A320neo narrow body jets, including the upgrade of an earlier order. The agreement includes purchasing options for a further 40 A320neo jets.
As Saudi Vision 2030 stresses transferring the Kingdom into a global logistics hub by providing competitive logistics services, several transport companies were established in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia is a pioneer in the field of aviation and civil aviation industry at the regional and international levels," Abdulhamid Aba al-Arri, an expert in civil aviation, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He explained Saudi Arabia’s significance on the civil aviation’s map by issuing effective legislation at the international level as part of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
