Saudi Arabian Airlines Signs Collaboration Agreement with Boeing

Saudi Arabian Airlines has signed a broad collaboration agreement with Boeing allowing the companies to pursue possible partnership opportunities in the areas of defense and commercial aviation.

Boeing and Saudia will explore areas of cooperation in pilot and aircraft maintenance training, rotorcraft support, management and leadership training and manufacturing focused on the expansion of local presence and aerospace skill development in country.

“This agreement will bring together the expertise of our companies and is aligned with our efforts to further strengthen and grow the local industry in the Kingdom,” said Ahmed Jazzar, president of Boeing Saudi Arabia. “Boeing’s relationship with Saudia has spanned decades, and today we have come together to forge a path that will generate benefits for our companies and the people of Saudi Arabia for generations to come.”

Saudi Arabian Airlines started out in 1945 with the single twin-engine DC-3, which was given to King Abdul Aziz as a gift by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was followed with the purchase of two more DC-3s, which formed the nucleus of what was to become one of the world's largest airlines. Today, Saudi Arabian Airlines operates more than 500 domestic and international flights a day with a fleet of 139 aircraft, including the latest and most advanced wide-bodied jets presently available: B747-400s, B777-200s, Airbus A320,321, 330, MD-11s, ERJ.