Saudi Arabia's newest low-cost carrier Flyadeal expects to finalise the purchase of 50 narrow body aircraft before the end of 2018.

“The evaluation [of bids] is still under process and we expect to make a decision before the end of the third quarter,” Flyadeal CEO Con Corfiatis tells MEED.

MEED understands Flyadeal is evaluating bids from US-based Boeing for the 737 Max aircraft and French plane manufacturer Airbus for the A329 neo aircraft.

MEED reported in March that a decision was expected in the second quarter of the year.

Flyadeal is the low-cost arm of Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the kingdom’s national carrier.

It currently operates five Airbus A320s between six domestic destinations including Riyadh and Jeddah. The aircraft are leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprises.

Saudi Arabia has said both Saudia and Flyadeal are included in the government’s privatisation programme.

Corfiatis declined to comment on the privatisation timeline for Flyadeal, which began operating in September last year.