The Saudia Group, which owns Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia and a low-cost airline flyadeal, has signed a firm order with Airbus for 105 A320-family passenger planes. 

The European manufacturer said the order consisted of 12 A320neo and 93 A321neo aircraft. The latest deal means Airbus’s order book for the Saudia Group stands at 144 aircraft. 

The group’s director general Ibrahim Al Omar explained the sizeable purchase was intended to accelerate the Kingdom’s progress towards its Vision 2030 tourism goals. 

“The progress of Saudi Vision 2030 is attracting more visits, tourists, entrepreneurs, and pilgrims each year. This motivated our decision to secure this significant deal, which will create jobs, increase local content, and contribute to the national economy,” he said. 

The increased fleet would allow expansion of scope for the airlines, along with improved existing services. 

"Saudia has ambitious operational objectives to meet growing demand. We are increasing flights and seat capacity across our existing 100+ destinations on four continents, with plans for further expansion,” Al Omar said. 

An Airbus statement focused on the much-discussed emissions improvements offered by the A320neo aircraft, which many airlines have used as a first step towards their climate goals. 

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president of sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “Both airlines [will] benefit from the A320neo Family’s exceptional efficiency, superior economics, [the] highest level of passenger comfort as well as lower fuel-burn and emissions."