Saudi carrier orders 12 Boeing jets

Riyadh: Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines on Sunday announced an order for 12 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) aeroplaness, with an option for 10 more. The order is valued at $3.3 billion (Dh12.1 billion) at average list prices.

Saudi Arabian Airlines also announced an order for eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners for its long-haul fleet.

"Our decision to order the 777-300ER is part of a long-term growth strategy to expand and modernise our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient aeroplaness, and is based on the aeroplanes's proven efficiencies," said Khalid Al Mulhim, director-general of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

"We see direct benefit because of the 777-300ER's improved fuel efficiency, seat-mile costs and the economics of operating a twin-engine aeroplane over long distances," he added.

Saudi Arabian Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 777, a 777-200ER, in December 1997 and since then has deployed their 23 Boeing 777-200 ERs globally on short, medium and long-haul routes. With this order, the airline will be operating 35 Boeing 777s.

"Saudi Arabian Airlines is one of Boeing's very first customers in the Middle East, with a relationship that goes back several decades," said Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes.

"In fact in 1961, 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 aeroplane. 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 aeroplanes to date," he added.

The 777-300ER is the world's largest long-range twin-engine jetliner, and is capable of carrying up to 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles. The 777-300ER first entered service in May 2004 and 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.

"Saudi Arabian Airlines is a key customer and a strategic partner in the region for Boeing and we aim to continue solidifying this relationship with the airline," added Ahmad Jazzar, president of Boeing Saudi Arabia and vice-president, Boeing International.