Saudi national carrier distances itself from Boeing 777s sale to Iranian airline

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia, has clarified that the sale of five Boeing 777-200 aircraft had no direct connection with Iran, following media reports claiming that an Iranian airline had acquired the planes.

Iranian media reported on Friday that five Boeing 777-200s aircraft previously operated by Saudia had been purchased by an Iranian air carrier and were currently undergoing refurbishment in Iran. 

The reports were widely circulated on social media, with some describing the transaction as the first major commercial deal between Tehran and Riyadh.

Responding to the reports, Saudia said the aircraft had been sold to a company registered outside Saudi Arabia, not to an Iranian airline.

In a statement posted on X, the airline said the transaction was completed on June 7, 2023, with a company situated outside the Kingdom in accordance with all applicable commercial and legal procedures. 

However, it did not disclose the identity of the company that purchased the aircrafts.

"Since the completion of the sale, Saudia has had no operational or commercial relationship with the aircraft," the airline clarified that it was not responsible for the transactions that followed.

The clarification came after media reports and online posts linked the former Saudia aircraft to a sanctioned Iranian carrier, prompting the airline to publicly distance itself from any subsequent ownership or operation of the planes.

Founded in September 1945, Saudia is the Kingdom's oldest airline. 

According to the airline, it currently operates a fleet of approximately 149 passenger aircraft, including 95 Airbus jets from the A320, A321 and A330 families, and 54 Boeing aircraft from the 777 and 787 Dreamliner series.

Several Iranian airlines are designated under international and US sanctions. 

The primary airlines facing major sanctions from the US, the EU, and the UK include Mahan Air, Iran Air, Saha Airlines, Iran Aseman Airlines, Pouya Air Lines, Meraj Air, Qeshm Fars Air, Dena Airways and Yazd Airways.

These sanctions majorly restrict transactions with US entities, ban landings or refueling on American soil, block access to Western aircraft and spare parts, and hit airlines involved in geopolitical disputes.