Saudia Partners With Air France-KLM To Expand Local Maintenance And Repair Operations

Saudia, Saudi Arabia's national airline, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Air France-KLM. This agreement was signed during the Saudi-French Investment Forum, aiming to enhance and localise maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. The signing ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, and several ministers.

The MoU was signed by Saudia Technic Managing Director Capt. Fahd Cynndy and Air France-KLM Engineering and Maintenance Executive Vice President Anne Brachet. This partnership marks a significant step in boosting Saudia's technical operations within the Kingdom. It highlights the commitment of both parties to strengthen ties and promote growth in the aviation sector.

The agreement includes provisions for Saudia to manage module assembly and disassembly of GE90 engines used on Boeing 777 aircraft. Saudia will allocate at least 50% of these work orders to Air France-KLM in exchange for localising the process. Additionally, there is potential for a joint venture concerning GEnx engines used on Boeing 787 aircraft.

This collaboration enhances Saudia’s existing local MRO capabilities, which include servicing CFM LEAP-1A engines found on Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The focus is on expanding mutual codesharing across more domestic and international routes, thereby increasing connectivity and frequency.

On the commercial front, the partnership aims to improve the codeshare agreement between Saudia and Air France-KLM, both members of SkyTeam. This involves enhancing operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to boost efficiency and improve guest experiences.

Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar stated: "This agreement reflects the visionary leadership of the Saudia Group Board, led by its chairman Al-Jasser, minister of transport and logistic services. It also aligns with the Saudi Aviation Strategy, spearheaded by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and demonstrates our commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s aviation sector."

Commitment to Local Growth

This agreement is part of Saudia's ongoing efforts to increase local content in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. It underscores Saudia Group’s dedication to nurturing local talent and capabilities within the aviation industry while contributing to a thriving national economy.

Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, described Saudia as a long-standing partner: "In the context of Saudi Arabia’s rapid development, we see mutual benefit in expanding our commercial cooperation and combining expertise, particularly in technical maintenance. Air France-KLM Engineering and Maintenance is a leader in this field, and this collaboration with Saudia will unlock new opportunities in the Kingdom and the region."

With inputs from SPA