Saudia welcomes first Dreamliners

Saudi Arabian Airlines has taken delivery of its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The new aircraft form part of a triple delivery to the Saudi Arabian national carrier, comprising two B787-9s and one B777-300ER. And a third Dreamliner will be delivered to Saudia next week.

“The delivery of our first Dreamliners marks yet another exciting chapter in Saudia’s long-standing relationship with Boeing that began in the early 1960s,” said HE Eng. Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser, Saudia’s director-general.

“We now look forward to the 787 becoming an integral addition to Saudia’s fleet as we continue our fleet modernisation and expansion as part of our transformation plans.”

Saudi signed a deal for eight B787-9s in 2010, and also has outstanding orders for 20 Airbus A330-300s and 30 A320s. These will join a fleet that currently comprises short-haul Airbus and Embraer jets and long-haul A330s, B747s and B777s. The old B747s however, are expected to be removed from scheduled service this year.

Saudia becomes the 12th airline in the world to operate the B787-9, and only the second in the Middle East following Etihad Airways.