The Saudia Group announced a significant order with Airbus on Monday, marking a setback for Boeing.
The order includes 105 narrowbody jets, comprising both A320neo and A321neo models, which will be split between the national carrier Saudia and its low-cost subsidiary flyadeal. Saudia Group’s current fleet includes 93 Airbus and 51 Boeing aircraft.
In a press release, the Saudia Group described this as “the largest aircraft deal in Saudi aviation history.”
Saudia is government-owned, with the airline’s chairman also serving as the transport minister.
This deal indicates a decline in Boeing’s global reputation, as the company has previously secured large orders from Saudi Arabia.
In March of last year, Saudi Arabia established a second national airline, Riyadh Air, which ordered up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Boeing was expected to secure the deal for Riyadh Air’s narrowbody jets as well. Prior to last November’s Dubai Air Show, Bloomberg reported that Riyadh Air was considering ordering up to 100 Boeing 737 Max jets. However, that order has not been finalized.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas attributed this to negative media coverage in an interview with Reuters on Monday.
“The media spent every hour of every day writing negative stories about commercial aviation,” he said.
Douglas clarified that he was not referring to an incident in January when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max lost a door plug midair.
“The last thing I want is to present my good news in the context of ongoing negative issues,” he added, mentioning that “whether it’s Airbus failing to deliver on time or Boeing facing technical problems.”
