21 December, 2018

Saudi Arabia's flyadeal to ditch Airbus in favour of Boeing as a thank you for Trumps support

flyadeal Boeing 737 Max 8                      photo Boeing
flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines has, according to Boeing, put in a commitment for 30 aeroplanes with options for 20 more in a deal that would be valued at up to $5.9 billion at list prices, although in real-world prices is less than half that amount. 

According to aviation commentators in the region, the commitment deal is a direct result of US President, Donald Trump's support of Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi murder in Turkey. The company had been flying 9 Airbus A320 aircraft with another two on order and had been expected to place an order for a further 60 of the type following recent talks. 

flyadeal selects Boeing's 737 MAX for future fleet needs


Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, HE Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said, "The demand for air transport services in the domestic market of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has grown exponentially. A new brand, with a fresh identity focused on low-fares, flyadeal has brought to the market a new choice – which has been received very positively."

Al-Jasser added: "The low-fares airline will continue to expand rapidly, and the addition to the fleet aligns well with flyadeal's target to grow its presence in the domestic market and cover new markets outside of Saudi Arabia."

"flyadeal has opened up more affordable flights to millions of travellers and we are honoured that the airline has chosen the 737 MAX to power its exciting expansion," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing for The Boeing Company. "We have supplied commercial aeroplanes to Saudi Arabia for more than 70 years and we look forward to finalising this agreement and delivering advanced jetliners to flyadeal in the years ahead."

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