Saudi Arabia's flynas Purchases 30 New Airbus Aircraft

flynas has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo Family aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
flynas has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo Family aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia's flynas Purchases 30 New Airbus Aircraft

flynas has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo Family aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
flynas has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo Family aircraft. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi air carrier and a leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, flynas, has firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo Family aircraft, taking the airline's total order with Airbus to 120 A320neo aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs.

Through the $3.7 billion agreement, flynas seeks to boost its position and contribute to the growth of the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia.

It also aims to boost efforts to achieve its ambitious plans by introducing its fleet's most advanced and fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft.

The agreement was signed at the Paris Airshow by flynas CEO Bandar al-Mhanna, Airbus CCO Christian Schere, in the presence of the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh al-Jasser, President of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz al-Duailj, and chairman of NAS Holding Ayed al-Jeaid.

"As we continue to grow, receiving several awards for excellence in operations and customer services and invest in our offering, we are delighted to confirm our latest order with Airbus," said Mhanna.

He asserted that the A320neo Family brings unmatched benefits to flynas' passengers, offering exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits while helping provide unique travel experiences at low cost.

Airbus CCO explained that unbeatable economics, more extended range capability, and the most spacious single aisle cabin have made the A320neo Family the preferred choice of airlines worldwide.

"We look forward to working with flynas as it develops its future fleet and presence in the fast-growing Saudi market," said Scherer.

flynas is an all-Airbus operator and was the first airline in Saudi Arabia to acquire the A320neo.

The carrier currently operates a fleet of 32 A320neos, 13 A320ceos, and four A330-300s. The new aircraft will support the airline's growth plans as it expands its international routes and destinations network.

The A320neo Family incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines, Sharklets, and aerodynamics, delivering at least 20 percent lower fuel burn and CO2 emission savings.

With more than 8,700 orders from 136 customers, the A320neo Family is the world's most popular aircraft.



Russian Wheat Export Prices Rise

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a combine harvesting wheat in a field in the Rostov Region, Russia July 10, 2024. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a combine harvesting wheat in a field in the Rostov Region, Russia July 10, 2024. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov//File Photo
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Russian Wheat Export Prices Rise

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a combine harvesting wheat in a field in the Rostov Region, Russia July 10, 2024. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows a combine harvesting wheat in a field in the Rostov Region, Russia July 10, 2024. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov//File Photo

Russian wheat export prices rose last week, tracking global prices, with analysts expecting weak export activity due to the upcoming long New Year holiday.

Dmitry Rylko, head of the IKAR consultancy, said the price of Russian wheat with 12.5% protein for free-on-board (FOB) delivery at the end of January was up $3 to $237 per metric ton.

The Sovecon consultancy saw prices for Russian wheat with the same protein content and delivery terms at $233 to $239 per ton, compared with $232 to $238 the previous week.

Russian FOB is expected to be mostly flat on low trade activity, the agency said in a weekly report.

Weekly grain exports were estimated at 0.83 million metric tons, including 0.78 million tons of wheat, up from 0.53 million tons of grain including 0.44 million tons of wheat the previous week as shipments recovered after storm disruptions. Sovecon has upgraded its estimates of December wheat exports by 0.1 million tons to 3.4 million tons, compared to 3.6 million tons a year ago.

IKAR estimates December wheat exports at 3.6-3.7 million tons, down from 4.4 million tons in November. Algeria is believed to have purchased 1.17 million tons of wheat this week. Some traders also expect some Russian wheat to be supplied. Egypt’s state grain buyer, Mostakbal Misr, contracted about 1.267 million tons of wheat, most of which was sourced from Russia, two sources with direct knowledge told Reuters.

Russia's IKAR agricultural consultancy said on Thursday it saw 2025/26 wheat exports down 6% to 41 million tons. Sovecon said on Monday that Russian wheat exports will fall by 17% to 36.4 million tons in the 2025/26 exporting season. Its forecast for the 2024/2025 season was revised to 43.7 million tons, from 44.1 million tons.

Russia harvested 125 million tons of grain and legumes, including 82 million tons of wheat, in clean weight, in 2024, down 13% from last year, data from statistical agency Rosstat showed on Thursday.

The wheat harvest is also down by 13%, to 82.4 million tons. Winter grains were sown over 17.6 million hectares, 1 million hectares less than in 2023. Temperatures remain above normal in all regions, Sovecon noted. The Russian state weather forecasting agency sees worsening conditions for winter cereals in January in the center of Russia and the Volga region.