Saudia denies reports of transferring aircraft to sanctioned carrier

Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia Group, has refuted media and social media claims regarding the transfer of a previously owned Boeing 777-200 aircraft to an airline under international sanctions. The airline issued a statement on X to clarify the situation.

Saudia Group asserted that the aircraft was sold on June 7, 2023, to a company established outside the Kingdom. The transaction, they emphasized, was conducted in full compliance with all applicable commercial and legal procedures. Since the finalization of the sale, Saudia has maintained no operational or commercial ties to the aircraft.

The clarification comes in response to online reports that linked former Saudia aircraft to a sanctioned carrier. The airline aims to distance itself from any subsequent use or operation of these planes. Saudia, established in 1945, is the Kingdom's oldest national airline and operates a fleet of approximately 149 passenger aircraft.