At the Riyadh conference this week, Airbus secured a major victory after the Saudia Group, which owns both Saudia Airlines and budget carrier flyadeal, announced a record-breaking order for 105 Airbus narrow-body aircraft. This move comes as a surprise, as many analysts anticipated Boeing to be the frontrunner for this significant Saudi Arabian deal.
The order consists of a mix of A320neo and A321neo single-aisle jets, specifically 12 A320neos and 93 A321neos. The distribution will see flyadeal acquiring the 12 A320neos, while Saudia Airlines will take delivery of 54 of the A321neos with the remaining allocated to flyadeal. This windfall for Airbus is the largest commercial aircraft deal in Saudi Arabian history, according to Ibrahim Al Omar, Director-General of the Saudia Group.
The announcement, made at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center, overshadowed any presence Boeing may have had at the event. The venue itself held a certain symbolic weight, featuring airplane-themed runways and meeting rooms fashioned after airplane mockups. In November 2023, Riyadh Air, another Saudi Arabian airline, hinted at an imminent large narrow-body order, with industry reports suggesting the Boeing 737 MAX as the likely choice. However, this anticipated Boeing deal never materialized, leaving the path clear for Airbus to take center stage at the Riyadh conference.
While specific reasons behind the Saudia Group’s decision were not disclosed, the move suggests a potential shift in Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry. Boeing, a traditional powerhouse in the region, has faced challenges in recent years due to the grounding of the 737 MAX following two fatal accidents. Although the aircraft has since been cleared to fly again, the incidents may have cast a long shadow.
Airbus, on the other hand, has continued to ramp up production of its A320neo family, which boasts increased fuel efficiency and longer range compared to previous models. This focus on efficiency aligns with the global trend towards more sustainable aviation practices, potentially another factor that influenced the Saudia Group’s decision.
The Airbus mega-order is a significant win for the European planemaker, solidifying its position in the Middle Eastern market and potentially signaling a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s aviation partnerships. The full ramifications of this deal will likely be felt for years to come, impacting not only the airlines involved but also the regional aviation landscape.
