Saudi getting A330s???
 

One agency has put out an ad for A330 drivers for a middle east national carrier. FAA licences.
I cannot think of anything other than Saudi.
Can you?

Its a good guess :):):)

Short term solution to a long ignored problem.

Just be warned, 1 agency is planning to base crews in Saudia City residential compound :(

Mutt

Thanks Mutt,
And I'm afraid that my second good guess is that nobody gets to commute if hired to fly for Saudi?
Well, one never knows. We'll see!

Guess that depends on the agency, presently SV crews get 6 blocked days off per month (In theory) with a free ticket to any SV destination.

But a new-hire SV Captain gets paid a lot less than agency pilots.

Mutt

Hi Mutt,

Sounds like these A330s are just interim lift.
Any news on longterm fleet review at Saudia? Will there be an announcement / order any time soon?

YES / YES / YES


New DG is an interesting guy who really wants to run an airline :):)

Mutt

aybe it's to do with the FAA licence requirement? I get the impression that QR and EK like JAA licences better.

Hi Mutt,

Glad to hear that :)

al-Mulhim certainly has a good reputation, I hope he delivers on his promise. Saudia can become something.

Same agency looking for A320 pilots for ME and will have to do FAA test. Any idea which airline this is for?

cheers
GW2006

Saudia.... plus B737-800 crews......

Mutt.

A320 , B738!

The plot thickens.

Bye bye MD90? Shall I get the (Saudi) champagne out?

737/800
 

Hi Mutt ,

Does this mean Saudia plans to bring 737/800 ? and if yes when ?
Cheers :)
Darkjet

Saudia going with 20 leased A320/A330 to fill short term capacity needs until new aircraft can be delivered.

Hi Charlie Fox,

Very nice. Any idea of the mix of types? eg. 14x A320 6x A332/3 ?

On another issue, I'm hoping they use the opportunity of the fleet renewal to do a cabin upgrade. they are looking dated.

Any idea of as when this could happen?
Called up one agency and was told no details available yet (probably not allowed to disclose anything at this point in time).
Hard to believe that they put up an ad with no details whatsoever on the contract.
Is SV pretty much in line with the other airlines in the Gulf as far as T&C go?

I don't know exactly what has been said between Saudia and the agency, but Saudia hasn't sourced all the aircraft yet. And I don't know the mix A330/A320, sorry.

Al-Mulhim has a new and interesting approach, in an Arabic newspaper interview two days ago, he questioned why he was in charge of a mail company and hospital, (Which implies that he will get rid of both) stated that he is pushing for privatization in 18-24 months and realizes that he needs to replace aircraft before he is forced to remove older aircraft from service. He therefore needs replacements for the A300's and starting Feb2007, the B747-100's...................... Rumor says 35 leased airbus aircraft..

Mutt

Thanks Mutt, well if it's as early as February, I'm glad the moderator put the thread back in.

You mentioned 6 blocked days off per month in theory...in practice how is it?

We're all used to the whining at QR, EY, and EK (and for a good reason I have to admit), how come we do not hear much whining from the SV pilots on this forum where we have expat pilots living probably in the least popular country of the Middle East and the money not being so good (I heard)?
From what I read previously, direct entry or through agencies, but directly is not very good money wise, correct?

Now an LCC is planned http://www.arabnews.com/?page=6&sect...12&m=11&y=2006

Not sure if that means the start up of a new Saudia LCC. It could also mean reduced prices on some flights.

They are begining to see some competition in Kingdom so I'm sure they have to respond.

As for the new Airbi's, the A300's and old 747's need do need replacement. As they are meant for the Hajj, I would have though more likely a mix of second hand 330/340 's