Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flyadeal expects to make a decision on a deal to acquire 50 new aircraft by mid-2018, CEO Con Corfiatis tells MEED.

“We are still aiming to complete [the transaction] this mid-year,” Corfiatis says. “We are in the midst of the campaign at the moment and as such no decision has been made so far.”

MEED understands Flyadeal is evaluating bids from Boeing for the 737 Max aircraft and Airbus for the A329 neo aircraft.

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 Saudia and Flyadeal are included in the government’s privatisation programme.

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