Saudi Arabian Airlines has put more than 40 of its aircraft up for sale including most of its older Boeing 747s and practically its entire Boeing MD-90 fleet.
The Jeddah-based flag-carrier is offering 28 MD-90s as well as nine 747-300s and five 747-100s. All the aircraft are owned by the airline.
Powered by International Aero Engines V2500 powerplants, the MD-90s are between seven and 10 years old. Saudi Arabian has configured them with 18 first-class and 103 economy-class seats.
Their offer for sale follows a tentative agreement, disclosed last month, to replace the twin-jets with up to 50 Airbus A320s.
Saudi Arabian is also putting 14 747 aircraft on the market.
The 424-seat 747-300s are around 21-22 years old while the 747-100s have 417 seats and are 25-26 years of age. Both types are configured in two classes and are fitted with Rolls-Royce RB211 engines.
Saudi Arabian has seven 747-100s but the five being offered are those which, by mid-2007, had most recently undergone D-checks.
Its remaining 747 fleet includes a 747-200 freighter, a 747SP and a small number of 747-400 passenger aircraft. The airline also leases a 747-400F and a pair of 747-300s.
Saudi Arabian, which is undergoing a slow privatisation process, has yet to detail whether it intends to replace the ageing 747-300s and -100s with other long-haul types. The Boeing 777-200ER forms the backbone of its long-haul operations.
By: Schorsch - 11th December 2007 at 06:42
It strikes me that an airline now replaces a type that was replaced in other airlines years ago (B747-100 & -300). Actually, some airlines think about the replacement’s replacement.
Currently the market for pax-to-cargo conversions is good, but a 25 year airframe might be beyond the economical point. Assuming a lower average utilization of 3000 to 4000 hours a year we easily arrive at 75000 to 100000 hours, and I think B747 normally don’t get behind 120,000 hours.
I guess at least the -100 go directly to the bone yard.
By: KabirT - 11th December 2007 at 05:54
I remember Saudi Arabian was fined for reckless flying on numerous occasions in Delhi. There 747s used to go so low i could literally see the inside of the aircraft through the window.
Also remember a Saudi 747 landing at an IAF base instead of the Chennai international airport.
I have to goto Dharhan in February and opted for Gulf Air via Bahrain instead of a direct Saudi flight to Riyadh. :rolleyes:
Although i dont think the MD 90s are going to find a home very easily.
By: steve rowell - 11th December 2007 at 05:25
The 747’s are probably only good for freight conversion whereas the relatively young MD90’s might be looked upon favourably by some Loco start up
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December 10, 2007 at 1:43 pm