Air France-KLM Group and Saudia, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to strengthen ties between the two companies.
Signed on November 3, 2024, while President Emmanuel Macron, attended the Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, the MoU covers both passenger transport and aircraft maintenance.
Under the agreement the three SkyTeam alliance members are looking to deepen their existing codeshare and interline commercial agreements, giving passengers more travel options between and beyond their respective hubs.
The agreement also includes initiatives to optimize operations and improve customer experience, notably through terminal co-location at key airports.
Additionally, Air France Industries-KLM Engineering and Maintenance (AFIKLM E&M) is being awarded a firm minimum of 50% of the maintenance work on Saudia’s GE90 engines (used on Boeing 777 aircraft), including the localization of the process of module assembly and disassembly for these engines.
Saudia will also consider AFIKLM E&M for all future key MRO sourcing processes and together with Saudia Technic will explore the opportunity of establishing a joint venture for GEnx engines (used on Boeing 787 aircraft).
The agreement is intended to expand and localize Saudia’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, in line with Saudia’s ongoing effort to foster local talent and capabilities.
“Saudia is a historic partner of Air France-KLM,” Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, said. “In the context of Saudi Arabia’s fast-paced development, we see a mutual interest in expanding our commercial cooperation and pooling our expertise, notably in the strategic MRO activity. 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 in the region.”
The various initiatives remain subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
On the sidelines of the Saudi-French Investment Forum Air France-KLM announced its plan to launch a new service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Riyadh, operated by Air France, during the summer of 2025.
“The commencement of direct flights from Air France-KLM between King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh and Charles de Gaulle, Paris from Summer 2025, will enable the two-way flow of thousands more tourists between our two great countries,” said Majid Khan, CEO of Saudi Air Connectivity Program.