First airline to abandon 737 MAX after grounding receives A320neo
Flyadeal took delivery of the first A320neo from an order for 30 aircraft placed with Airbus in 2019. The Saudi airline, part of the Saudia group, already had an aircraft of the model, leased by Avolon in 2020.
The low-cost airline gained attention in July 2019 when it announced the cancellation of an order for 50 737 MAX jets with Boeing. At the time, the aircraft was grounded because of two fatal accidents that occurred in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
It was the first major loss for a US manufacturer, in a deal valued at $6 billion. Flyadeal currently operates another 10 A320s from the original series.
According to Airbus, Flyadeal will receive the remaining 29 A320neo within three years. The aircraft use the CFM Leap-1A engine and are configured in a single class with 186 seats.
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