Saudia adds the A321XLR to its fleet + Oman doubles down on its Saudi trade corridor

Saudia takes the A321XLR lead

Saudia gets the region's first A321XLR: Saudi Arabia's flag carrier Saudia has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, becoming the first airline in the Middle East and North Africa to operate the extra-long-range narrowbody aircraft. The jet is the first of 15 on order and will allow Saudia to serve longer-haul international destinations with a single-aisle aircraft, thanks to a range of up to 4.7k nautical miles — territory traditionally reserved for widebody jets.

Oman's Ezad dry port moves to construction

Oman lines up its Saudi border dry port: Egyptian EPC contractor Edecs Group has been awarded the construction package for a dry port and veterinary quarantine facility at Ezad IP3 in Oman's Al Dhahirah Economic Zone (Ezad), partnering with local firm Assarain Group. The project is being developed for Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Freezones within a 388 sq km economic zone located around 20 km from the Rub Al Khali border crossing with Saudi Arabia and approximately 105 km from Ibri Industrial City.