Boeing has today announced a tentative commitment from Saudi low-cost airline Flyadeal for up to 50 737 MAX 8, with 30 orders and 20 options.
Flyadeal is the low-cost subsidiary of Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national airline. It has been in operation for a little over 14 months and currently operates a domestic network in Saudi Arabia connecting the most important cities with a fleet of ten Airbus A320.
The 737 MAX 8 can seat up to 189 seats in economy class, 3 seats more than Flyadeal’s current A320s.
According to a statement by Saudia CEO H.E. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the carrier will use the incoming aircraft to expand in Saudi Arabia and to international destinations. A statement from Boeing says the 737 MAX will be more cost- and fuel-efficient than the airline’s current fleet. At list prices, the deal is worth $5.9 billion if all options are exercised, but is subject to usual discounts.
Flyadeal will rapidly expand next year; the airline plans to increase its market share and carry 4 million passengers in 2019. It is currently not known if the Boeing 737 MAX will replace Flyadeal’s current A320s or if both aircraft types will be operated simultaneously.
Read more: SaudiGulf Airlines places order for 10 Airbus A320neo
Jan-Hendrik is an aviation enthusiast from Germany, loves to travel the world and fly on as many aircraft as possible. His first flight was with a Condor 757 to Spain and has been interested in aviation ever since. His fields of expertise are aircraft accidents and passenger experience (PaxEx).
