Saudi Arabia's Flynas signs deal for up to 160 Airbus Neo jets at Farnborough Airshow

The A330 Neo wide-body will help the airline expand its long-haul route network and carry more pilgrims, chief executive says

Airbus executive vice president Paul Meijers, left, and Flynas chief executive Bander Al Mohanna sign a deal for narrow-body and wide-body jets. Photo: Airbus

Saudi Arabia's budget airline Flynas signed an agreement for up to 160 Airbus Neo jets, which includes options for 70 aircraft, at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

The airline will buy 75 A320 Neo narrow-body aircraft and 15 A330-900 wide-bodies, Airbus said in a statement on Thursday.

The all-Airbus fleet operator also signed options for another 55 A320 Neos and 15 A330 Neos, Flynas said in a separate statement.

“The A320 Neo family … [allows] us to offer unique, low-cost travel experiences,” said Flynas chief executive and managing director Bander Almohanna.

“Additionally, the A330 Neo will enhance our long-haul capabilities with its advanced technology and efficiency while supporting our growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s pilgrim programme.”

The Flynas order has helped Airbus overtake its US rival Boeing in terms of volume of jets, as the air show in Farnborough, south-west of London, winds down to its close on Friday.

The Farnborough International Airshow 2024 – in pictures

Flynas, which is backed by billionaire businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, aims to expand its fleet size to more than 160 aircraft by 2030. Its current fleet of 61 aircraft consists of 53 A320 Neos, four A320s and four A330s.

In April, the airline confirmed plans to list its shares on the Tadawul stock exchange this year.

The new A330-900 aircraft will have a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers. Deliveries of the wide-body jets will start in 2027.

The Flynas plane order and fleet growth plans are part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to develop non-oil sectors such as aviation and tourism and boost their contribution to the economy.

Its National Civil Aviation Strategy aims to connect the kingdom with more than 250 international destinations and increase passenger traffic to 330 million annually by 2030.

Other deals from Middle East airlines at the Farnborough air show include Qatar Airways' order for 20 Boeing 777-9 jets on Tuesday. This takes its order book for the 777X family of aircraft to 94.

Also on Thursday, Abra Group, the majority investor in Colombian airline Avianca and Brazil's Gol, signed an initial agreement for five Airbus A350-900s.

The deal is aimed at expanding its international long-haul operations and boosting capacity, the European aircraft manufacturer said in a statement.

Overall, 260 firm commercial aircraft orders worth £81.5 billion ($105 billion) were announced at the Farnborough airshow across the first four days of the event, organisers said on Thursday.