Air France-KLM and Saudia Deepen Partnership with MoU
Air France-KLM Group and Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation in passenger transport and aircraft maintenance. The agreement was signed on November 3, 2024, during the Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
As members of the SkyTeam alliance, the two airlines aim to enhance their existing codeshare and interline agreements. This collaboration will provide passengers with more travel options between and beyond their respective hubs, improving connectivity and convenience. The MoU also includes initiatives to optimize operations and enhance customer experience, such as terminal co-location at key airports.
A significant aspect of the agreement involves Air France Industries-KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFIKLM E&M) receiving at least 50% of the maintenance work on Saudia’s GE90 engines used in Boeing 777 aircraft. This includes localizing the processes of module assembly and disassembly. Saudia will also consider AFIKLM E&M for future key maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sourcing processes. Together with Saudia Technic, they will explore establishing a joint venture for GEnx engines used on Boeing 787 aircraft.
The partnership aims to expand and localize Saudia’s MRO capabilities, aligning with the airline’s efforts to foster local talent and capabilities. Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, stated, “Saudia is a historic partner of Air France-KLM. In the context of Saudi Arabia’s rapid development, we see mutual interest in expanding our commercial cooperation and pooling our expertise, notably in strategic MRO activities. Air France Industries-KLM Engineering and Maintenance is already a leader in the field, and further cooperation with Saudia will unlock additional opportunities in the country and the region.”
These initiatives are subject to approval by relevant authorities. Additionally, Air France-KLM announced plans to launch a new service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), operated by Air France starting in the summer of 2025. Majid Khan, CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, commented, “The commencement of direct flights from Air France-KLM between Riyadh and Paris from summer 2025 will enable the two-way flow of thousands more tourists between our two great countries.”
This enhanced cooperation is expected to boost tourism, facilitate business collaborations, and strengthen aviation ties between Europe and the Middle East.
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