ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company announced on Saturday it has delivered to Saudi Arabian an Airbus A320.
This is the first of 13 aircraft that will be leased to the Saudi national air carrier for eight years, ALAFCO said in a press release here.
Under the contract between the two sides the 13 aircraft are to be delivered between 2009 and 2011, it noted.
The deal aims to modernize the fleet of Arabian Airlines and strengthen the airline's presence on the local market, according to the statement.
The handover ceremony took place in Toulouse, France.
Addressing the ceremony, ALAFCO's Chairman and CEO Ahmad Abdullah Al-Zabin said reaffirmed ALAFCO's commitment to meet the growing demand of its customers.
"Cooperation with sisterly Arabian Airlines adds to the achievements we have made in the recent years," Al-Zabin pointed out.
He expressed desire to pursue cooperation with the major regional air carrier, voicing hope that the deal with Arabian Airlines would give impetus to its renovation strategy.
"The deals with Arabian Airlines involve 25 aircraft including Boeings and Airbuses," he revealed, noting that ALAFCO has received ten Airbus A320 - 200 aircraft from the manufacturer in 2009.
Meanwhile, Khaled Al-Melhem, director-general of Arabian Airlines said the event saying: "the Airbus A320 is the most suitable aircraft to the company's ambitious plan for modernization." The new aircraft will fly to various destinations from Riyadh to airports in the Middle East, Europe, and the Indian Subcontinent, he said, noting that the plane can carry between 120 and 132 passengers.
Based in Kuwait, ALAFCO unfolds its corporate message by way of its characteristic competencies and through its strong tie-ups with its shareholders and other industry and industry-related partners, thus reaching over the core needs of its customers in the Middle East and worldwide.

 

Kuna