Saudi Arabian Airlines has revealed plans to acquire up to 50 Airbus A320s today at the Dubai air show.

The Saudi flag carrier has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 22 A320s and has also announced the lease of a further 20 aircraft - ten each from GE Commercial Aviation Services and Bahraini bank GulfOne.

The deal with Airbus includes an agreement to increase the order by eight aircraft. The entire deal with Airbus and the lessors comprises 42 firm and eight options.

Deliveries of the leased aircraft will begin in 2009 with the A320s ordered directly from Airbus arriving from 2012. The airline will use the A320s to expand and replace its narrowbody fleet which comprises Boeing MD-90s and seven A320s the airline already operates on lease.

Source: FlightGlobal.com