The inability to get enough single-aisle aircraft on time is causing the Saudia Group to look for widebodies, to fulfill the same role.
We have seen how stagnant orders and early aircraft retirements during the pandemic, later led to a rapid increase in new aircraft orders. The effect was particularly strong because both Boeing and Airbus introduced new single-aisle aircraft in the years leading up to 2020, driving fleet replacements.
The Saudia Group recently ordered 105 A320neo-family aircraft. Image: AirbusThis and Boeing’s continuing problems with 737 production have driven demand for Airbus’ offerings. But despite continuing efforts to streamline its assembly lines, Airbus simply can’t make jets fast enough.
In May, the Saudia Airlines Group placed an order for 105 single-aisle aircraft with Airbus. Previous reports suggested that Saudia, already an Airbus A320neo user, intended to order the 737 MAX instead.
Image: BoeingA Hunt for Single-Aisle Aircraft (by many)..

An Austrian Airlines Airbus A320 suffered a lot of damage from hail after entering a thunderstorm, but its pilots managed to land it safely.
This incident happened on Sunday the 9th of June, involving Austrian Airlines flight OS-434, which originated at Palma de Mallorca Airport (LEPA) in Spain. The flight’s destination is Vienna International Airport (LOWW).
The incident aircraft, about a year ago. Photo: MarcelX42, CC BY-SA 4.0Austrian Airlines performs this flight twice weekly, on the weekends, departing from Mallorca at 3:20 PM. On the day of this hail damage incident, the A320 crew departed using runway 24R, with a half-hour delay.
The crew climbed to FL340 for their cruise, with most of the flight being uneventful, until after the crew started their descent. They were reportedly descending through FL200, flying over Hartberg, Styria (Austria), when the A320 flew through hail, in a thunderstorm.
Photo: @OnDisasters via XA320 Crew Lands After Hail EncounterAfter the flight, t..