Saudia Group is currently in talks with both Boeing and Airbus over the possibility of placing an order for new wide-body aircraft, according to Reuters.
Saudia Group hit the headlines only a few weeks ago by announcing an order with Airbus for 105 A320neo family aircraft. However, it appears the company wants to go further still.
Abdullah Alshahrani, the Saudia Group General Manager of Communications and Media Affairs, has said that the airline requires a total of 180 new single-aisle aircraft, according to Reuters.
However, with limited Airbus production slots available, Saudia was looking at widebody jets instead, specifically the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330.
Alshahrani told Reuters that the group had been fortunate enough to push through the order for single-aisle planes with Airbus last month.
It has not been reported exactly how many of the new widebodies will be allocated to Saudia and how many to Flyadeal.
In May 2024, it was announced that Saudia will acquire 54 A321neo aircraft, while Flyadeal will receive 12 A320neo and 39 A321neos from the Airbus order for 105 aircraft.
According to ch-aviation, Saudia already operates 59 Airbus A320 family aircraft. This comprises 37 A320-200s, 15 A321-200s, and seven A321-200neos.
The carrier already had a further 14 A320neo and 15 A321neo XLR on order prior to this latest announcement.
Flyadeal currently operates a fleet of 11 A320-200s and 21 A321neos, with a further ten A320neos outstanding from an existing order placed in 2019.