Saudi Arabian Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330, after ordering the type two years ago.

The Saudi flag-carrier received the aircraft, a -300 variant, during a ceremony in Toulouse.

Saudi Arabian ordered eight A330s in July 2008 and selected Rolls-Royce Trent 700 powerplants for the type. Its fleet-renewal programme also produced an order for up to 50 Airbus A320s.

Saudi Airlines A330 
 © Airbus/P. Masclet

"Together with our new Airbus A320s, our A330s will allow us to get the maximum efficiency from flying two aircraft families which share common controls and maintenance," says Saudi Arabian Airlines chief executive Khalid Al Molhem.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news