AerCap Holdings N.V. has announced it has signed lease agreements for two Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by Mukamalah Aviation Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco), operating under the brand name “Aloula Aviation,” for the transportation of Aramco Group passengers in Saudi Arabia. The Aramco Group has been a long-time customer of AerCap through its helicopter business, Milestone Aviation, which is a leading provider of leased and financed helicopters.
Aloula was established in 1934 under the name of Saudi Aramco Aviation, with the core mission of oil exploration through the vast Saudi deserts. From its headquarters in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Aloula operates more than 60 aircraft from different fleets all serving different purposes but with the common goal of helping the business succeed. In addition to its massive fleet, Aloula regularly serves 18 airports throughout Saudi Arabia, nine of which Aloula fully manages, serves, and operates, and more than 300 helipads, both on and offshore.
Commenting on the deal, the CEO of AerCap, Aengus Kelly said, “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Aramco and Aloula from the leasing and financing of helicopters to passenger aircraft, highlighting the strong synergies across AerCap’s business lines. We are proud to support Aloula with their first directly leased aircraft for passenger operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wish them every success in their new venture.”
Also commenting was the CEO of Aloula Aviation, Captain Khalid Alnatour who said, “Our continued partnership with AerCap marks an important step in Aloula Aviation’s mission to provide top-tier aviation services in Saudi Arabia. With the addition of these Boeing 737-800 aircraft, we are better positioned to serve other key clients, advancing our shared commitment to the Kingdom’s aviation development.”
