Saudi Carrier Orders More Than 100 Airbus Jets

Saudi Arabia’s national airline ordered more than 100 new Airbus jets, a reflection of the kingdom’s ambitious drive to lure more tourists, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The purchase brings Saudia Group’s Airbus aircraft order backlog to 144 of the A320neo family planes. I Photo: Saudia Airlines

Saudia Group, which represents the Saudia airline and its budget carrier Flyadeal, said Monday that it ordered 105 aircraft from the French aerospace company’s A320neo family of jets, including 12 A320neos and 93 A321neos.

That brings Saudia Group’s Airbus aircraft order backlog to 144 of the A320neo family planes, CNN and Reuters also reported.

Saudia said it is increasing flights and seat capacity across its existing 100-plus destinations to meet the country’s goal of attracting more than 150 million tourists by 2030.

Despite Boeing’s woes, Airbus is unlikely to extend its advantage in the Airbus-Boeing duopoly much further because the company already is making planes as fast as it can, with a backlog of more than 8,600 orders to fill.