Saudi Arabia in advance talks for 40 A350s aircraft

Saudi Arabia is planning a large aircraft order for its second national airline, RIA, reports Reuters. The order could be for as many as 40 A350s valued at around $12bn at list price, with an additional order of another 40 aircraft. Narrowbody jets are also being considered alongside widebody planes, with tough competition between B737 and A320neo. The announcement is expected to be made at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum in Riyadh later this week, as per sources. It is said that the purchase will be made by the sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF) and would kickstart the operations