DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Flynas will decide whether to order Boeing 737MAX or Airbus 320NEO planes before the start of the holy month of Ramadan in early June, the airline’s CEO said.
The low-cost carrier is considering an initial order of 60 planes, with the possibility of a further 40, as it seeks to replace its existing fleet and expand.
Flynas currently leases Airbus A320s so choosing Boeing would create complications such as retraining staff to work on the US firm’s aircraft, Paul Byrne told reporters on the sidelines of an industry event in Dubai.
“To switch ourselves, they (Boeing) have to do a phenomenal deal for us. That deal will have to cover that pain of transition, as it will be painful,” said Byrne.
“We are open to that argument, we see them as a player and what we want is something that will see the long-term future of Flynas. That door is wide open to both.”
Ultimately, with Flynas in the process of phasing out its leased Airbus fleet, whichever manufacturer it chooses will over time become the sole supplier.
Byrne was quoted earlier this year as saying the airline was also considering Bombardier for the potential order.
However, on Wednesday, he said it had decided against the Canadian manufacturer as its new CS300 aircraft had not been flown by a Middle Eastern carrier in the region’s harsh climate.
The 737max would be quite a fleet change.