RIYADH, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Saudia Airlines, the national carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, announced on Monday a purchase deal for 105 Airbus aircraft, specifically the A320neo and A321neo models.
The deal is set to expand and modernize its fleet and enhance air connectivity with countries worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group, said that Saudia has ambitious operational objectives to meet growing demand, noting that the progress of Saudi Vision 2030 is attracting more visits, tourists, entrepreneurs, and pilgrims each year.
Saudia Airlines made the announcement on the first day of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh.
Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser said at the event that the forum's activities, agreements, and deals will be instrumental in "strengthening efforts to meet new challenges" in the aviation sector.
Al-Jasser also pointed to the establishment of Riyadh Air, whose goal is to connect Riyadh with over 100 international destinations, and the plan for the King Salman International Airport project in Riyadh, which will increase the airport's capacity to accommodate 100 million passengers by 2030.
The forum, organized by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, brings together more than 30 government ministers, 77 heads of civil aviation authorities and international air carriers, and more than 5,000 aviation industry experts and leaders from over 120 countries. ■
