RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will buy 12 long-range Boeing 777-300ERs in a deal worth $3.3 billion with an option to buy ten more airplanes.
"The deal is part of a long-term plan to expand and modernize the fleet of Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) with new version of fuel-efficient airplanes," said Khaled Al-Molhem, director general of the state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines, during a press conference here on Sunday after signing the deal.
The contract to acquire 12 airplanes with passenger-friendly features was signed by Al-Molhem and Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in the presence of Prince Fahd bin Abdullah, assistant minister of defense & aviation, at the Four Seasons Hotel. The signing ceremony was attended by a number of top Saudia officials, Boeing executives and diplomats, including Susan L. Ziadeh, deputy chief of the mission at the US Embassy and Abdulaziz Al-Hazmi, Saudia's deputy director general.
Speaking to newsmen after signing the deal, Al-Molhem said: "The most common variant used worldwide is the 777-200ER, which is more fuel-efficient and cost-effective in terms of operating the aircraft on long-haul flights." "The delivery will start soon... from next year itself in a staggered schedule," Ahmed A. Jazzar, president of Boeing Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. These modern planes, to be included in the Saudi fleet, are in addition to the 12 Boeing 787s ordered earlier.
Referring to the strong relation between Saudia and Boeing, Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: "Saudia is one of Boeing's first customers in the Middle East, with a relationship that goes back several decades." Albaugh said that Boeing was privileged to have witnessed Saudi Arabia's entry into the jet age with a Boeing 707 when it became the first in the Middle East to operate a jet airplane in 1961.
"Today's order is yet another milestone in our relationship and is also a powerful endorsement of the 777, which is one of our most successful airplanes to date," Albaugh added.
The 777-300ER is the world's largest long-range twin-engine jetliner, which is capable of carrying up to 365 passengers 7,930 nautical miles, said Jazzar.
Asked about the 12 super-efficient Boeing 787 airplanes for which an order was placed early this year, Jazzar could not provide details because Saudia had ordered Boeing 787s through a Kuwaiti leasing company. Jazzar pointed out that Boeing has been in Saudi Arabia for the last 65 years with its first Boeing DC3 plane that was used by the late King Abdulaziz.
The 777-300ER first entered service in May 2004. Through October 2010, 251 777-300ERs have been delivered. The aircraft extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotor-craft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems.
By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN
© Arab News 2010
