flynas (XY, Riyadh) plans to order fifteen A330-900s from Airbus, marking its first contract for widebody aircraft direct from the manufacturer. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed during the 2024 Farnborough Airshow, also includes 75 incremental A320neo Family aircraft.
The tentative order includes options for a further fifty-five A320neo and fifteen A330neo.
The Saudi carrier did not disclose delivery dates for the A330neo but said they will be configured in a two-class layout seating up to 400 passengers. It did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
"The A330neo will enhance our long-haul capabilities with its advanced technology and efficiency while supporting our growth plans and Saudi Arabia's pilgrim programme," CEO and Managing Director Bander Almohanna said.
The airline currently operates four second-hand A330-300s and wet-leases in a further four A330-300s and six A330-900s from Lion Air (JT, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) to support its Hajj and Umrah charters. It issued an RFP for up to 30 widebodies earlier this year.
flynas's MoU with Airbus, once finalised, will also increase its commitment for new-generation narrowbody aircraft to 139. The ch-aviation fleets module shows the carrier currently has fifty-four A320-200Ns and ten A321-200NY(XLR)s on order, as well as fifty-three A320-200Ns already in its fleet. It also operates four remaining A320-200s. The carrier's fleet of A320neo is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines.