HE. Eng. Saleh N. Al-Jasser declared that the fleet upgrading program of 2017, which include receiving 30 all-new aircraft, comes hand in hand with the phasing-out program aiming to modernize and develop the fleet. These two parallel programs will result in reducing the average age of the aircraft to less than 4 years, thus, Saudia’s new fleet will be the youngest in the sky. He averred that the bumper delivery will include (10) A330-300 regional, (8) A320, (7) B787-9 Dreamliner, and (5) B777-300ER.
“The new aircraft,” al-Jasser added, “on one hand, will support the operations of the company in the coming period, contribute in increasing seating capacity in the domestic routes, expanding the international network, and give us flexibility in our route planning. The already received aircraft in 2016, on the other hand, contribute greatly in enhancing the operational plans both domestically and internationally, this is appear clearly in increasing seating capacity for domestic flights up to (16%) and operating direct flights to new international destinations, include Maldives, and Munich, in addition to Ankara and Algeria during the next November, and over the next year, Saudia will expand its operations to another four destinations.”
“These aircraft,” al-Jasser continued, “are the most sophisticated, efficient, and spacious commercial in the sky, along with many other onboard product features which will help Saudia to provide world-class services to our valued guests. Saudia’s continued investment in its modern fleet, actually, is a clear testament of its focus on customer comfort and operational efficiency. Saudia’s iconic B777-300 equipped with the new luxurious first-class suites will be delivered soon.”
Saudia gave great attention to raise the bar on seating plan to maximize guests’ comfort. The seating plan of B787-9 and B777-300ER is (1-2-1) for business class, and (3-3-3) for the economy, A330-300 is (2-2-2) for business class, and (2-4-2) for the economy, and A320 is (2-2) for business class, and (3-3) for the economy.
Passenger capacity varies with the seat configuration of each aircraft. The seating capacity of the B787-9 Dreamliner is 298 seats, 24 of which for a business class and 274 seats for economy class, B777-300ER is 290 seats, 12 first class suites, 36 seats in business class, and 242 seats in the economy class, A330-300 regional is 330 seats, 30 of them for a business class and 300 seats for economy class, and A320 is 144 seats, 12 of them for a business class and 132 seats for economy class.
Parallel to the delivery program, the phasing-out program aims to retire 24 aircraft (4) B474-400, (5) B777-200, and (15) E170 during 2016, and over the next year 2017, 25 aircraft will be retired (18) of which are B777-200, and (7) A320. Thus, Saudia’s two parallel programs seek to reduce the average aircraft age to four year which adds to the efficiency of its fleet.
This comes within the framework of SV2020 and the Transformation Program which has been implemented in Saudia, its strategic units and affiliates, and aims to double the fleet to 200 aircraft by 2020, increase seating capacity, and expand the international network, and enhance operating efficiency while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.
To ensure the success of the fleet upgrading program, Saudia signed an agreement to send 5.000 students on foreign scholarship program in order to be specialized in aviation and aircraft maintenance. Moreover, Saudia paid great attention to implement an integrated program of preventive maintenance for all aircraft engines, power generators, systems and devices. This program is in line with the highest safety standards stipulated by the laws and regulations of both national and international organizations of civil aviation safety, such as GACA, EASA, and FAA.