Saudia, CFM sign SAR 32 bln deal to buy LEAP-1A Engines

Saudia aircraft

Saudi Arabian Airlines signed an agreement with CFM International at a total value of nearly SAR 32 billion to purchase LEAP-1A engines.
 

The agreement was made during the Saudi-French Investment Forum held on the sidelines of the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Saudi Arabia.
 

Saudia aims to operate its new fleet of 35 Airbus A321neo, which are expected to be received starting from 2022, and 30 Airbus A320neo.
 

This agreement also includes a Rate-Per-Flight-Hour (RPFH) services contract to cover engines from this new order as well as an additional 20 leased A320neo aircraft.
 

Based in Jeddah, the Saudi airline operates 61 CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A320ceo aircraft. Moreover, Saudia's low-cost subsidiary, flyadeal, operates 11 CFM56-5B- powered Airbus A320ceo aircraft and 5 A320neo LEAP-1A.
 

“We look forward to introducing further LEAP engines into our fleet and we believe that this engine will be a real asset in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” said Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Group.

Under the terms of the agreement, CFM will also help the Saudia’s subsidiary Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) develop its own engine overhaul services, including disassembly, inspection, assembly, testing, and qualification/certification for the LEAP-1A engines.